Belarusian Potash Company shuffles sales schedule amid political turmoil

LONDON (ICIS)–Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) on Tuesday confirmed industrial action by workers at production partner Belaruskali have forced adjustments to this month’s potash sales plan.

The Minsk-based marketer did not provide any details about the changes, with the news coming amid widespread industrial action and violent anti-government protests across the country.

Belaruskali supplies 20% of the world’s annual potash volumes, meaning any lengthy disruption to activities would squeeze supply for grades such as standard muriate of potash (MOP) and granular MOP.

“We are making adjustments to our sales plan for August […] it’s quite hard to say […] how quickly the situation will get back to normal,” BPC said in the short statement.

An email from ICIS to Belaruskali asking about the extent of the interruption to its operations has not been answered, while the most recent press release on its website is dated 7 August and refers to the presidential election.

Other major potash producers such as Russian’s Uralkali and Canada’s Nutrien have yet to disclose if the chaos in Belarus has prompted worried BPC customers to look elsewhere for potential substitute cargoes.

Clients in major importing nations like India and China would need to ask fast to cover any delay in BPC deliveries given the significant distance and voyage time for shipments.

BPC markets Belaruskali potash sourced from several deep mines. Photo courtesy of BPC.