Canpotex, the Saskatoon-based potash marketing company, is investing $500 million to expand shipping capacity at the Port of Vancouver, a project Saskatchewan officials say will help move more of the province’s potash to international buyers.
The investment was marked with a groundbreaking ceremony at Neptune Bulk Terminals, attended by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. The expansion involves replacing and refurbishing equipment at the terminal to increase how much potash can be exported through the port.
Moe said the project will strengthen the province’s economic footing. “Saskatchewan potash helps feed a growing world, and this investment in shipping capacity, made possible by Canpotex, will help deliver more of this vital nutrient to the people who need it,” he said in a statement, adding that the project will support jobs and economic growth in Saskatchewan and across Canada.
Saskatchewan’s Potash Position
Saskatchewan holds the largest known potash deposits in the world, according to the provincial government. In 2025, the value of the province’s potash exports reached $9 billion, a 13.5 per cent increase over 2024. Moe said the Neptune expansion will reinforce Saskatchewan’s standing as the world’s leading potash producer and what he described as a trusted, secure and reliable supplier.
Canpotex markets and ships potash produced by Mosaic and Nutrien. The provincial government said the company has shipped 325 million metric tonnes of potash to customers around the world to date.
Trade Tensions With Belarus
The announcement comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was working on an agreement to purchase potash from Belarus, a move he framed as an effort to reduce reliance on Canadian exports. Moe strongly criticized the idea, calling potash sourced through Belarus “blood potash” and arguing that buying it would support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. More than 40 countries, including Canada and its allies, currently have sanctions against Belarus over its support for the invasion of Ukraine.
Trump later said the U.S. would continue buying potash from Canadian suppliers, while noting that American buyers are seeking better pricing.
Growing Export Capacity
Canpotex CEO Gordon McKenzie said the Neptune investment secures long-term export capability for the province. “Today’s investment at Neptune means we will be able to reliably export Saskatchewan potash through the Port of Vancouver to farmers overseas for decades to come,” he said.
Peter Xotta, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, said the upgraded terminal will help connect Saskatchewan potash to markets in South America and the Indo-Pacific region as part of a broader push to grow Canada’s export base beyond the United States. He said investments like Canpotex’s are important as the port continues to expand its role in Canadian trade.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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