Potash could anchor a new Canada-India trade partnership |
The latest volley in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute came in September, when President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. was working on a deal to buy potash from Belarus at a cheaper price than what it pays for Canadian supplies. A day later, he backtracked and said the U.S. would continue to buy potash from Canada, but it would have to be at a lower cost.
This could be consequential for Canada. The U.S. is Canada’s biggest export market for potash, accounting for about half of Canadian exports. The U.S. imported 87 per cent of its potash from Canada in 2025-2026.
Potash is a critical component in fertilizers that maintains soil health and promotes good yields. Canada is the leading producer and exporter of potash and has the world’s largest reserves, totaling 1.1 billion tonnes. Most of the reserves are concentrated in Saskatchewan, which accounts for almost 45 per cent of the known global reserves.
The fertilizer industry plays an essential role in Canada’s economy; the total economic impact of the industry is more than $42 billion.
The Trump administration’s strong-arm tactics have already prompted Canada to actively seek new trading avenues. Among the potential partners that Canada can build stronger ties with is India – especially when it comes to potash. Establishing a reliable, strategic partnership between the two on potash could bring long-term benefits to both countries.
Supply chain disruptions
India is the second largest consumer of........