Middle Eastern potash producers 'operating as usual' amid escalating conflict

Potash producers ICL and Arab Potash Company, and potassium nitrate producer Haifa Group are all operating normally amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, company sources said March 2.

A spokesperson for Israel-based potash producer ICL told Platts March 2 that "all of our facilities and sites are operating as usual, with no disruption to supply ... The safety of our employees remains our top priority, and we continue to focus on ensuring full operational continuity."

The company exports almost all of its potash through the Mediterranean port of Ashdod, but has used the Dead Sea port of Eilat in the past. The spokesperson said that "both ports are operating normally."

Production at ICL's Dead Sea Works was affected during 2025 by the conscription of its skilled workers into the Israel Defence Force. The Israel Times reported on March 1 that the IDF has called up 100,000 reservists, bringing the total to 50,000 currently on duty. When asked whether conscription would affect ICL's product, the spokesperson said, "At the moment, there's no change to our operations. The company is well-experienced in managing temporary situations like this, with strong contingency plans in place, and we remain confident in our ability to maintain full business continuity."

A company source at potassium nitrate producer Haifa group also said that operations continue as normal. "Life goes on as usual ... We closed our northern plant in Haifa in the past and relocated operations for security reasons." The company's press office could not immediately be reached for comment.

The operations of Jordan-based potash producer Arab Potash Company also continued without issue, according to a company source. "We are moving forward as normal ... Jordan is peaceful." The company's press office could not immediately be reached for comment.

Combined Middle Eastern potash production accounted for 4.63 million metric tonnes of a global total of 68.97 million mt in 2025, according to S&P Global Energy CERA.