Born and raised in Canada’s mining capital, Vancouver, Leia’s experience as a journalist dates back to her days as an undergraduate. While studying at Simon Fraser University, she held the position of news department coordinator for CJSF 90.1 FM, and science writer for the Journal of Young Investigators. Leia has an educational background that makes her knowledgeable about mining and resource economics - she holds a B.Sc. in physical geography/earth science from Simon Fraser University, where she also took a concentration of courses in resource economics. Leia has gained valuable knowledge about the financial workings of the commodities sector through her work as a commodities analyst, covering the PGMs, grains, tropicals, uranium, the Baltic Dry Index, and carbon trading. Leia joined Resource Investing News in 2008 and currently resides in the financial epicenter, New York City.
India’s fertilizer cooperative major IFFCO said it will reduce potash imports by 35 percent in 2011-12 following Uralkali, Russia’s largest potash miner refusal to lower potash prices.
India is pushing potash and phosphate suppliers to lower fertilizer prices, citing that a weakening currency and climbing potash and phosphate prices are pushing Indian farmers out of the market.
In an interview with Potash Investing News, Gary Deathe from Encanto Potash commented on the nuances of the potash industry as a whole, and those that are unique to Saskatchewan.
The shares of fertilizer producers continue to be underpinned by the weak global macroeconomic picture, despite the bullish projections on the near and long-term outlook for the sector.
Tight supplies and high prices of agricultural products including corn and wheat are expected to increase demand for fertilizers, through the near future, however, sometime past 2012, more plentiful supplies should halt potential shortages.
Last week Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan announced doubled quarterly earnings, however, the statement resulted in some negative sentiment regarding the fertilizer market reaching maximum output.
Recently, record-setting earnings have been the norm for fertilizer producers, however, late last month the markets were roiled by a quarterly earnings report by Mosaic, the world’s largest phosphate producer, which showed that profits missed analyst’s earnings per share (EPS) expectations.
India is just one of the many nations in the world dealing with a food crisis. While the country is experiencing unprecedented population growth, the amount of arable land is shrinking, thereby increasing the need for fertilizers.
