Nutrien

Based in Canada, Nutrien produces potash, phosphate, and nitrogen organic fertilizers. The company was formed through the merger between PotashCorp and Agrium. PotashCorp was formerly the world’s largest potash producer and third largest nitrogen and phosphate producer, while Agrium is a major retailer of agricultural products and a wholesale producer of organic fertilizers. Nutrien offers over 9,000 potash, nitrogen, and phosphate products that use mined potash and phosphate as well as nitrogen produced by synthesizing ammonia from the air, natural gas, and steam. Apart from fertilizers, the company also offers crop consultancy services, digital smart farming solutions, and financing services, alongside its portfolio of crop nutrition and plant protection products.

As of December 2021, Nutrien has a global presence with operations in 13 countries across North America, South America, Australia, and Europe. As of the same date, the company’s retail operation Nutrien Ag Solutions (rebranded from Agrium’s Crop Production Services in April 2018) serviced over 500,000 growers through its network of more than 2,000 international retail locations across North America (1,230 locations), Canada (295), South America (134), Australia (414).

The company reports that it produces and distributes 27 million tons of potash, nitrogen, and phosphate products globally. The company claims to be the largest producer of potash fertilizer and the third-largest producer of nitrogen fertilizer in the world. Nutrien states that it invests over USD 30 million each year in R&D globally to develop new genetics, chemistries, and solutions. The company serves on the Iowa Soybean Research Center ’s advisory council and provides financial support, to finance soybean research at the university.

Nutrien operates more than 20 production facilities across the US and Canada for phosphate, nitrogen, and potash production. In March 2022, it announced plans to increase its potash production capacity to ~15 million tons for 2022 amidst the uncertainty of supply from Eastern Europe. In May 2022, Nutrien announced that it was evaluating a site in Geismar, Louisiana, for the construction of the world’s largest clean ammonia production facility. Upon approval, Nutrien would reportedly invest USD 2 billion and begin construction in 2024. The facility is expected to produce 1.2 million tons of clean ammonia at full capacity and would sequester at least 90% of carbon emissions. Nutrien also signed agreements with Denbury Inc. and Mitsubishi Corporation for the expansion of carbon sequestration capabilities and for up to 40% offtake of expected production from the plant, respectively. 

Funding and financials

Nutrien is a publicly listed company and its common shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges under the symbol “NTR.” 

Nutrien generated USD 37.9 billion in revenue in FY2022 , up 37% YoY, supported by higher selling prices resulting primarily from global supply uncertainties across its nutrient businesses and strong Retail performance. The EPS for the period increased to USD 13.19 from USD 6.23 in the previous year.