A vessel carrying 30,000 tonnes of granular fertiliser, which is widely used in agriculture to boost crop yields, is already en route to the US, reports 24tv.ua, citing the Financial Times.
Belarusian Potash Company loaded the consignment of potash onto the vessel at the Russian port of Bronka, near St Petersburg. It is expected to arrive in New Orleans in mid-October.
This consignment will be the first shipment of fertiliser from Belarus to the US in the last four years. It became possible after Washington began easing sanctions pressure on Minsk as part of diplomatic agreements relating to the release of political prisoners in Belarus.
Before the sanctions were imposed, Belarus was a major supplier of potash to the US. Between 2017 and 2021, the country sold an average of around 635,000 tonnes of potash per year to American buyers.
Why the US buys from Belarus
American interest in this sanctioned commodity is driven by economic considerations and risks in the Middle East. Due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the global fertiliser market has been threatened by shortages. Furthermore, in September, Donald Trump announced a ‘major deal’ with Belarus to lower potash prices for American farmers.
At present, Canada remains the main supplier of potash to the US, accounting for almost 80 per cent of American imports. However, given the strained trade relations between the two countries, Washington is seeking to diversify its fertiliser supplies.
Last year, the US imported around 5.6 million tonnes of potash, so the current 30,000 tonnes will not have a significant impact on the market as a whole. Nevertheless, Washington is demonstrating a willingness to work with Belarusian suppliers once again.
This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.
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