50 Years of Nourishing the World
Since our first sale in 1972, Canpotex has become one of the world’s largest suppliers of potash and a vital link in helping the world grow the food it needs. A global company with Canadian roots, Canpotex responsibly markets and delivers Saskatchewan potash overseas on behalf of its shareholders, Mosaic and Nutrien. After 50 years, we celebrate the strength of our relationships with customers and partners, our ability to reliably operate with integrity, and our success as one of Canada’s largest exporters. We will continue to build and grow from a solid foundation for another 50 years.
Rooted in Potash: Canpotex at 50

To celebrate our 50th year in supplying potash to the world, we’ve launched a special podcast series with longtime Canadian broadcaster, Jen Quesnel, where listeners can learn about the history of Canpotex, about our world-class logistics and marketing capabilities, and about our commitment to food security.

Nourishing the World
With an extra 2 billion people expected by 2050, how do we ensure food security for a growing global population? In this second episode of Rooted in Potash: Canpotex at 50 we learn how Canadian potash is increasing farmers’ yields and helping feed the world. We sit down with Toran Dobni, Canpotex’s Marketing Manager for South Asia and Oceania based in Singapore. Since 1983, Canpotex has invested $55 million USD in farmer education programs that benefit farmers on the ground in countries like India and Bangladesh. Toran describes what it’s like to see these programs in action up close.
We’ll also hear from two of Canpotex’s long-time customers, Wilmar and Hap Seng, who share how Canadian potash is improving farmer livelihoods in Indonesia and making biofuel innovations possible in Malaysia. A bit closer to home, we take a trip to the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre to hear how Canpotex is helping alleviate child hunger in Saskatoon.

Logistics
Each year, Canpotex exports arround 13 million tonnes of potash to its customers overseas. In this episode of Rooted in Potash: Canpotex at 50, we look at the operations that make Canpotex one of Canada’s top exporters and a leader in logistics. We’re joined by Chooi Li Low, the Senior Director of Operations for Canpotex, to go behind the scenes. Chooi Li takes us through the entire potash journey from thousands of meters underground to thousands of kilometers across rough terrain and the sea. We also hear from Bruno Bravo with Orion, a vessel agent in Brazil that’s on the receiving end of Canpotex’s potash before it reaches its customers. And Duana Kipling, President of Neptune Bulk Terminals, shares how Canpotex and Neptune work seamlessly to ensure potash can be stored and shipped reliably and efficiently across the world.
Pre-Canpotex
1943

1960

1962
1970s

1970
Ten potash mines are operating in Saskatchewan.
1972
Canpotex opens its head office in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Roger Hatch, President of Canpotex 1972-1984.

1974
Canpotex Shipping Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canpotex Limited opens in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to coordinate ocean freight and terminal activities for Canpotex.
1976

1979
A number of Canpotex member companies, through Canpotex Bulk Terminals Limited, purchase an interest in Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd. at North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Early potash boring machines.
1980s

1983

1984
Erik Ekedahl is appointed President of Canpotex.

1985

1986
Canpotex and the Government of Canada jointly fund a pilot bulk blend plant in South China, which will purchase its future potash requirements from Canpotex.
Canpotex inaugurates a new distribution route through Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada on the St. Lawrence Seaway to supply markets in Europe.
1990s

1991

1993
Canpotex completes a CDN $30 million investment in Neptune Bulk Terminals in North Vancouver, British Columbia which increases storage capacity to 210,000 tonnes and throughput capacity to 6.0 million tonnes.

1997

1999
2000s
2001

2007

2009
2010s
2011

2012
Canpotex celebrates its 40th anniversary.

2013

2014

2015
Canpotex completes the installation of its new high-speed shiploader at Portland Bulk Terminals, and increases throughput capacity at the terminal.
Saskatoon celebrates the opening of the PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park, featuring the Canpotex Train ride co-funded by Canpotex and CP Rail.
The Board of Directors appoints Ken Seitz President and Chief Executive Officer of Canpotex.

2016

2017

2018
Canpotex opens an office in São Paolo.
Canpotex hits the mark of 250 million tonnes of potash sold (achieving volume growth of 25% in 4 years).
2020s

2020
