The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released its 2026 Mineral Commodity Summary for potash, featuring full 2025 market data, rankings of top producing and reserve-holding countries, and mid-term industry forecasts. All figures refer to thousand metric tons of potassium oxide (K₂O) equivalent unless specified otherwise.
The U.S. potash market posted mixed results last year. Its f.o.b. mine sales value reached $550 million, a 13% year-on-year increase. Domestic production stood at 500, up 22%, while producer sales hit 460, rising 9.5%. Production is concentrated in New Mexico and Utah with diversified processing techniques. In terms of supply and demand, U.S. apparent consumption dropped 4.8% to 5,900, imports fell 6.2% to 5,600, and exports rose 13.3% to 170. The nation’s net import reliance remained at 92%, with Canada supplying 79% of imports, Russia 12%, Israel 3% and other regions 6%.
Potash was officially added to the U.S. Critical Minerals List on November 7, 2025. A Michigan-based company also secured a conditional $1.26 billion federal loan to build a new potash and salt mine, designed for an annual output of 800 thousand metric tons of MOP and 1 million metric tons of salt, pending one-year compliance reviews.
Global potash production totaled 49,000 in 2025, up 5% year on year. The world’s top 10 producers are as follows:
| Rank | Country | 2025 Output | YoY Change | Key Notes |
| 1 | Canada | 15,000 | +4.2% | World’s largest producer |
| 2 | Russia | 10,000 | 0% | Stable output |
| 3 | China | 6,300 | 0% | Strong domestic demand |
| 4 | Belarus | 6,000 | +20% | Fast export-driven growth |
| 5 | Germany | 3,000 | +20% | Top European producer |
| 6 | Laos | 2,400 | 0% | Southeast Asian emerging supplier |
| 7 | Israel | 2,000 | -11.5% | Dead Sea production |
| 8 | Jordan | 1,800 | +4% | Dead Sea production |
| 9 | Chile | 600 | +6.4% | Salt lake production |
| 10 | United States | 500 | +22% | Expanding domestic capacity |
Global recoverable potash reserves exceed 590 million metric tons. Major reserve holders and their shares are listed below:
| Country | Reserves | Global Share |
| Russia | 2,000,000 | 34% |
| Canada | 1,100,000 | 18.6% |
| Laos | 1,000,000 | 16.9% |
| Belarus | 750,000 | 12.7% |
| China | 200,000 | 3.4% |
| Germany | 150,000 | 2.5% |
| Chile / Spain | 100,000 each | 1.7% each |
| Other nations | 300,000 | 5.1% |
Israel and Jordan source potash from the Dead Sea, which holds nearly 2 billion metric tons of potassium chloride. Global potash resources reach 2.5 trillion metric tons, ensuring long-term supply stability.
Global potash capacity was 66,100 in 2025 and is projected to climb 17.1% to 77,400 by 2029. New capacity mainly comes from Laos and Russia, while more MOP mines in multiple countries will launch after 2029. Global fertilizer potash consumption reached 41,600 in 2025 (up 2.5%), led by Asia and South America, and is expected to hit 45,300 in 2029 with a 2.2% compound annual growth rate.
Over 60% of U.S. output is SOPM and SOP for chloride-sensitive crops, while MOP dominates over 90% of the global market. The average U.S. potash f.o.b. price rose 4.3% to $1,200 per metric ton, yet MOP prices dropped 13% to $600 per metric ton.
Potassium is an irreplaceable nutrient for living organisms. Driven by capacity expansion in Eurasia and rising demand across Asia and South America, the global potash market is reshaping. The U.S. will continue to rely heavily on imports in the near future.
