Saskatoon-based Nutrien has announced plans to increase fertilizer production due to changes in global agriculture and fertilizer markets.

Interim president Ken Seitz says Nutrien is accelerating the ramp-up of annual potash production to 18 million tons by 2025 in response to uncertainty of supply from Eastern Europe.

This represents an increase of more than 5 million tons, or 40 percent, compared to 2020 production.

He says the increase is through existing low-cost capacity unmatched in the industry.

To boost production, Nutrien will hire 350 people and expand underground mining equipment, mine development, storage and load-out capacity.

Nutrien continues to evaluate low-cost expansion opportunities beyond 18 million tons at Saskatchewan mines to supply longer-term market demand growth.

Nutrien is advancing previously announced expansion projects to add 500 thousand tons of capacity to the end of 2025.

Last month, Nutrien announced plans to expand its production site in Louisiana to build the world’s largest clean ammonia facility to increase nitrogen fertilizer production.
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