Potash

• Potash is a crucial element in fertilizer that does not have a commercial substitute
• Global market of 50 million tons and compounding growth projected at 3%
• Largest importers are China, US, Brazil and India
• Market expanding as less land mass for agriculture use with increased  population
• Total world demand for agricultural products will be 60 % higher in 2030 than it is today.
•  Increasing incomes in developing countries has promoted protein rich diets that in turn impact the increase in grain consumption.
•  Land suitable for farming is being lost at the rate of about 40,000 square miles per year by competition from the production of bio-fuel and urbanization.

Potash is used as a major agricultural component in 150 countries with the largest importers being China, India, the US and Brazil. Potash is the common term for fertilizer forms of the element potassium (K). The name derives from the collection of wood ash in metal pots when the beneficial fertilizer properties of this material were first recognized many centuries ago.

Large potash bearing rock deposits occur in many regions of the world deriving from the minerals in ancient seas which dried up millions of years ago. Potash for fertilizer is mainly derived from this potash rock, requiring only separation from the salt and other minerals and physical grading into a form suitable for fertilizer manufacture or farm spreading.

Using Potash in plants has a positive effect on the  environment.

To ensure healthy and nutritious plant growth, adequate supplies of potash must be maintained in the soil by the use of fertilizers and manures. There are no environmental risks associated with either of these nutrients.  Potash makes a positive contribution to the environment by balancing other utrients, especially nitrate, to make sure they are taken-up and used by plants efficiently.