Potash
EU import reliance for potash is 33%. Germany and Spain mine potash. Canada mines almost a third of world output.
Figures
Potash in four figures
EU import reliance
33%
net imports as a share of EU apparent consumption
Source: European Commission, 2023 study (2016 to 2020)
World mining
31%
Canada’s share of world potash mining, 2025
Source: USGS 2026
Main EU source
56%
Germany, from its own mines. Spain and Russia follow with 11% each.
Source: European Commission, 2023 study (2016 to 2020)
EU demand
2.2Mt
of potash a year, as K₂O
Source: Fertilizers Europe
Data as of 27 October 2026
Supply in Europe
Where EU supply comes from
Net imports as a share of EU potash demand, 2016 to 2020.
- EU demand100%
- Net imports33%
One grain is 1% of EU potash demand. Source: European Commission, 2023 study (2016 to 2020)
Outlook
What comes next
- Known reserves
- Reserves in Germany and Spain equal about 114 years of EU demand
- EU duties
- The duties on Russian and Belarusian fertilisers do not cover potash. EU sanctions have barred Belarusian potash since March 2022.
- EU imports
- €986m of potash fertilisers from outside the EU in 2025. Canada supplied 42%.
Sources: USGS 2026 (reserves); Fertilizers Europe (EU demand); EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2025/1227; Eurostat Comext
Origin
Where potash comes from
Use
Where potash is used
Food and drink
4.8million
people employed in EU food and drink manufacturing, 2023
Source: Eurostat
World output
49Mt
of potash mined in 2025, as K₂O
Source: USGS 2026
Events
Events and measures
- Jan 2026
- European Union
The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) enters its definitive regime. It covers nitrogen fertilisers, not potash.
Source: European Commission
- Jul 2025
- European Union
Duties on Russian and Belarusian fertilisers take effect. Potash is not covered.
Source: EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2025/1227
- European Commission, Study on the critical raw materials for the EU (2023)
- USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
- Fertilizers Europe, Forecast 2024 to 2034
- Eurostat, structural business statistics 2023
- EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2025/1227
- Eurostat Comext, extra-EU imports 2025
- European Commission, CBAM
