Belarus sold its potash to the U.S. for the first time in four years – FT

The first shipment of Belarusian potassium chloride in four years, totaling 30,000 metric tons, is headed for the United States. A ship flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, loaded with granular fertilizer produced by Belaruskali, was loaded on September 15 at the Russian port of Bronka and is expected to arrive in New Orleans on October 14.

The resumption of shipments became possible after the U.S. lifted restrictions on the Belarusian potash industry in exchange for the release of political prisoners. Washington imposed sanctions in 2021 in response to the crackdown on protests in Belarus, but began easing them at the end of 2025 and fully lifted the restrictions on “Belaruskali” in March 2026. The current shipment represents only a small fraction compared to pre-war export volumes and total annual potash imports to the U.S., nearly 80% of which come from Canada.

Source: Financial Times.

Earlier, Belarus’s self-proclaimed president, Alexander Lukashenko, stated that Minsk does not have surplus potash fertilizer to supply to Western markets. His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that work was underway on a “large-scale deal” to purchase Belarusian potash at a price lower than what the United States currently pays Canada.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury granted limited sanctions relief to three Belarusian companies involved in potash production. This decision was made following Belarus’s release of political prisoners.