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Top potash manufacturer Nutrien fears sales hit from prospective Canada rail blockage

Nutrien, the world's biggest potash manufacturer, said on Thursday it was worried that the impending Canada rail blockage would injure its ability to ship items.

Canada's two main rail business stated recently they would lock out employees on Aug. 22, if talks to work out a labour agreement fail. A strike or lockout might bring the transportation of items in the country, which relies heavily on its train network, to a halt.

Nutrien relies on trusted rail service and we are concerned that labour action would impact the capability to move our products, which subsequently may adversely affect farmers and food security around the world, it stated in an emailed declaration to Reuters.

Fertilizer is the third-highest volume commodity shipped by the Canadian trains, according to industry group Fertilizer Canada.

Nutrien said it was taking proactive measures to mitigate the effect to its clients in case of a short-term disturbance. It likewise prompted the celebrations involved to reach a timely resolution.

Chief Commercial Officer Mark Thompson had said earlier this month a strike would put potash volumes towards the lower end of the company's projection for the year.

Nutrien anticipates potash sales volumes to be in between 13.2 million tonnes and 13.8 million tonnes for 2024.

Seth Goldstein from Morningstar anticipates lower potash volumes from both Nutrien and peer Mosaic in case of a rail strike.

The large majority of potash if not all, is carried from the mines through rail, so any strike would impact volumes and the longer the strike, the bigger the impact.

Mosaic did not right away respond to a Reuters ask for remark.

(source: Reuters)