While there’s been a lot of talk about the oil and gas industry, Carlsbad’s potash market is also seeing the impact of the conflict in Eastern Europe. 

That’s because both Russia and Russian ally Belarus are major potash producers. According to a Jan.25 article in “Investing News” Belarus was already being subjected to sanctions before the crisis in Ukraine, both by Europe and by the United States. Potash prices went up to $650 per ton for the first time since 2008.  That was before the present conflict. Potash, which is used as fertilizer, is an especially difficult commodity. If prices get too high, many farmers simply won’t plant crops that year, 

Belarus is the third leading potash producer in the world, following Canada and Russia. Eddy County has some of the best potash reserves in the United States. This is certainly another example of how a resource in Southeast New Mexico is vital to our nation. 

From the office of Mayor Dale Janway