The move presents a significant challenge to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government, which had pledged to secure major critical mineral infrastructure within Canadian borders.
Nutrien Ltd., the world’s largest producer of potash fertilizer, has announced it will build its next major export terminal in Longview, Washington, rather than in Canada. The Saskatoon-based giant confirmed on Wednesday that it has selected the U.S. Pacific Northwest site for a proposed facility valued at up to $1 billion, aiming to secure a more efficient route to fast-growing markets in the Indo-Pacific, including India, China, and Japan.
The proposed Washington terminal will be located at Berth 4, a site previously used as a grain terminal until 1989, which recently concluded a decade-long redevelopment. The facility is expected to have a total capacity of five to six million tonnes. Nutrien plans to make a final investment decision in 2027, with construction slated for completion by 2031.
The decision marks a significant shift for the Canadian agricultural titan, which currently ships potash from six Saskatchewan mines through terminals in North Vancouver, Saint John, and Portland, Oregon. While the company had assessed options across the Pacific Northwest based on 30 different criteria—including rail rates, freight costs, and construction expenses—management ultimately determined that the U.S. site offered superior economic advantages.
“Logistics is a really important component of ensuring that Canadian potash can be competitive on the global stage,” said Chris Reynolds, Nutrien’s Chief Commercial Officer. Reynolds emphasized that while the company is proudly Canadian, the decision was strictly economic, devoid of political considerations. “We need to get ready for that,” he added, referencing projections that global potash demand will rise from 72 million tonnes to 80 million tonnes by 2030.
The choice of Longview is being viewed by industry as a substantial blow to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government. The administration has staked much of its economic reputation on streamlining regulations to attract large-scale investment in the resources sector, particularly for critical minerals like potash.
This infrastructure expansion is critical for Nutrien as it faces intensifying competition. Australian mining giant BHP is scheduled to open its massive Jansen mine in Saskatchewan by mid-2027, which will eventually add 8.5 million tonnes of potash annually to the global supply. Furthermore, Nutrien must compete with lower-cost producers in Russia and Belarus.
