Nutrien expects more fertilizer use by farmers despite low crop prices

"We expect to be in a strong market next year," Nutrien CEO Ken Seitz said on a call with analysts.

Nutrien topped Wall Street estimates for second-quarter profit on Wednesday, benefiting from improved demand in North America amid a robust corn-planting season.

The strong results were a rare bright spot for agriculture-focused companies. Large agribusinesses including Archer-Daniels-Midland and Bunge Global reported their weakest quarterly earnings in years amid trade uncertainty from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, while farm equipment makers warned of sales headwinds due to slumping farm incomes.

The company boosted its estimate of full-year potash sales following record sales in the first half of 2025, to a range of 13.9 million to 14.5 million metric tons, as farmers reacted to improving weather in parts of North America that had grappled with drought conditions in previous years.

"We see growers investing to protect their yields," said Jeff Tarsi, Nutrien's head of global retail.

Crop prices for wheat, corn and soybeans are near multi-year lows in North America, a factor that can sometimes restrain farmers from buying fertilizer and other inputs, analysts say.

But excellent crops in many parts of the continent are encouraging farmers to use higher rates of fertilizer as this year's expected high-yield crops remove more fertilizer from the soil. To produce maximum yields in 2026, U.S. farmers will need to replenish soil fertilizer levels more than in some recent dry years, Tarsi said.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported American corn and soybean crops were in the best condition for years at this point of the growing season. Crop prices have fallen as markets anticipate big supplies from North America, Brazil and other significant areas.

Seitz said he saw the global potash market as being in balance with healthy prices, citing strong demand and supplies unlikely to swell quickly due to challenges producers face in developing new projects.

Potash is considered a relatively affordable fertilizer by farmers, analysts say, while phosphate is on the other end of the spectrum.

Nutrien is North America's second-largest phosphate producer and Seitz said the fertilizer's relatively high price could hurt short-term demand.

On Wednesday, Jenny Wang, executive vice president of commercial at fellow fertilizer company Mosaic (MOS.N), opens new tab, also highlighted high phosphate prices on a call with analysts.

"Prices have steadily climbed this year with a strong demand that is constrained by supply," said Wang.

"Despite higher prices and the lack of available supply that may result in some demand deferral, global shipments are expected to approach a new record."