The Trump administration’s proposal to purchase potash from Belarus (BELL-ah-roos) is raising questions about the cost and logistics of supplying U.S. farmers. President Donald Trump said Monday the United States is working on a “massive deal” to buy Belarusian potash at a price substantially below what the U.S. currently pays Canada. Canada supplies roughly 80 percent of U.S. potash imports. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe questioned whether Belarusian potash could actually be cheaper, noting Belarus is landlocked, and shipments would need to move through Russia before reaching the United States. Belarus has also faced sanctions and lost its main export route through Lithuania, adding to transportation challenges. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (loo-kah-SHEN-koh) has said his country resumed potash sales to the United States after Washington eased sanctions on Belarusian producers. However, it remains unclear how significantly Belarus could increase shipments to the U.S. For farmers, the proposal could provide another potential source of a key fertilizer nutrient.
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