Nutrien, the world’s largest potash producer, missed analysts’ estimates for second-quarter profit due to lower potash and nitrogen sales volumes. Despite higher fertilizer prices, the company’s earnings were impacted by the decline in sales volumes.

Market Outlook

Global nitrogen markets are expected to remain tight in the second half of 2026, due to trade disruptions, production outages, elevated energy prices, and strong import demand from India and Brazil. The global phosphate market continues to be affected by trade flow disruptions, constrained sulfur feedstock availability, and elevated costs, straining phosphate producer margins and reducing global operating rates.

Nutrien raised the lower end of its annual potash sales volume forecast to 14.2 million tonnes from 14.1 million tonnes, while keeping the upper end unchanged at 14.8 million tonnes. Quarterly nitrogen sales volumes fell 25.3% to 2.253 million tonnes, while potash sales volumes slipped 1.2% to 3.943 million tonnes.

Net sales in the nitrogen segment declined 3% on lower volumes, while higher costs related to a controlled shutdown at its Trinidad operations weighed on profitability. The company reported adjusted earnings of $2.61 per share for the second quarter, missing analysts’ estimate of $2.71.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.