TFI applauds addition of potash as US critical mineral

Market: Fertilizers
21/03/25

US fertilizer industry group The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) applauded President Donald Trump's decision to include potash in the administration's list of American critical minerals and confirmed to its members today it is looking to have phosphate added to the list as well.

Under the executive order issued Thursday, which aims to increase US production of critical minerals, the National Energy Dominance Council will receive a list of mineral production projects. Within 10 days of the order being issued, the NEDC will be expected to identify priority projects to be given the necessary permitting or approval to begin advancement.

"President Trump's [executive order] will help ensure a stable and abundant supply of fertilizers. which are critical to maintaining the global competitiveness of US farmers, strengthening rural economics, and keeping food prices in check," TFI said.

The Defense Production Act and federal financing tools will be used to provide supportive funding for new mining projects, and a dedicated critical minerals fund is expected to be created as well.

The lions share of the US' potash supply is imported, with 98pc annually coming from other countries and 85pc of that from Canada, according to TFI data. The US in comparison is one of the top five phosphate rock producing countries in the world, where roughly 20mn short tons were produced in 2024.

Most phosphate rock production in the US is located in Florida and most domestic potash production is located in New Mexico.

However, in January the US Department of Energy said it would conditionally back more than $1bn in loans to Michigan Potash to finance construction of the first domestically built production facility in 60 years. Under the newly issued executive order, the Michigan Potash project could be guaranteed more definitive funding and government attention.

Michigan's potash reserve is ideally located within the US' fertilizer demand center, and the project in its first phase will produce about 800,000 metric tons of potash annually, Michigan Potash chief development officer Cory Christofferson said today. "In subsequent expansion phases, we can produce 4mn t of potash or more annually."

By Taylor Zavala

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