First vessel with Belarusian potash to arrive in the USA in October

In October, the first consignment of Belarusian potash fertilizers in four years is expected to arrive at the port of New Orleans. This refers to 30 thousand tons of potassium chloride, or MOP — the most common type of potash fertilizers, writes Reform.news citing industry agency Argus Media.

The supply will be the first physical confirmation of the resumption of commercial trade of Belarusian potash with the USA after the lifting of American restrictions. Alexander Lukashenka stated on September 11 that Belarus has already started selling potash fertilizers to American clients.

"If you want potash fertilizers from us (if you want to buy) — please. We can't immediately. Here it is, available to us. We have already contracted them for this year; we will consider next year. Now there is an opportunity to load vessels (tomorrow we will definitely finish loading) — take them. But return the loan. 43-44 million dollars of ours are stuck in Citibank — a company that cooperated with us paid the money. In wealthy America. Please return this money to us," he said, speaking to journalists at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground.

Before the introduction of sanctions, Gavilon was one of the main American recipients of Belaruskali products in Louisiana. In 2022, Gavilon Fertilizer changed its name to MacroSource.

The USA imposed sanctions against Belaruskali in August 2021.

Later, the Belarusian Potash Company and other industry-related structures also fell under restrictions. After the end of the transition period, American companies were prohibited from conducting operations with them.

In December 2025, Washington announced its intention to lift restrictions on the Belarusian potash sector after the release of 123 prisoners.

In March 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury — OFAC — removed Belaruskali, the Belarusian Potash Company, and a number of other enterprises from the sanctions list. At the same time, restrictions on several Belarusian financial organizations were eased.

The American authorities, however, separately clarified that the lifting of sanctions does not automatically mean the unblocking of property and money frozen during the period of restrictions. Separate OFAC decisions may be required for their return.

On September 21, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington is working on a "large-scale deal" to purchase potash from Belarus. According to him, Belarusian products should cost "significantly cheaper" than fertilizers that the USA buys from Canada.

Canada provides the predominant part of American potash imports. In total, the USA imports about 5.5 — 8.7 million tons of potash fertilizers annually (depending on the form of calculation). Therefore, a consignment of 30 thousand tons will primarily have symbolic significance: it confirms the return of the Belarusian producer to the American market, but by itself is not capable of significantly changing the balance of supplies.

On November 3, partial elections to Congress will take place in the USA.

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