Rooted in Potash: Canpotex at 50 Canpotex

How did a small Saskatchewan-based company transform into a global potash exporter that is helping nourish the world and feed millions of people? 
In the premiere episode of Rooted in Potash: Canpotex at 50, host Jen Quesnel sits down with Matt Albrecht. Matt is Canpotex's Senior Vice President of Marketing, and he's based in Singapore. He takes us back to the early days of Canpotex, back in time to an era when the global population was booming, and developing economies were struggling to feed their people.
In this episode, hear how Canpotex markets and delivers Canadian potash on behalf of its shareholders, Mosaic and Nutrien. And we’ll discover how a vital nutrient mined in the province of Saskatchewan makes its way to these overseas markets establishing Canpotex as a reliable supplier whose credibility shapes its reputation today. 

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.

Each year, Canpotex exports around 13 million tons of potash to 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. To take us behind the scenes, we’re joined by Chooi Li Low, the Senior Director of Operations for Canpotex.  
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 in Vancouver, shares how Canpotex and Neptune work seamlessly to ensure potash can be stored and shipped reliably and efficiently across the world.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had an impact on everything from the price of gas to the cost of food. In this episode of Rooted in Potash: Canpotex at 50, we hear about the impact it's had on potash – and how Canpotex remains a reliable supplier amid global disruptions.
 
We sit down with Natashia Stinka, Director of Public Affairs for Canpotex, to discuss the vital role potash plays in the economy and in the lives of farmers. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe notes the economic contribution of Canpotex as the province’s largest overseas exporter and Fertilizer Canada’s CEO, Karen Proud,  discusses the role of potash in global food security. We also hear from Jason Aebig, CEO of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, about the direct impact Canpotex is having in its own community.

With its sophisticated logistics network and customers overseas, Canpotex has a team of around 130 employees who make the global impact of this local company possible. In the  fifth episode of Rooted in Potash: Canpotex at 50, we take a look inside this global company with roots on the Canadian prairies. We sit down with Kendra Kuse, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration, to hear about the people that make Canpotex a global leader. And we hear from five employees themselves about the professional development and company culture they feel sets Canpotex apart. 

The province of Saskatchewan is home to the largest potash reserves in the world. And as the global population continues to grow, the demand for potash is expected to increase with it. In our final episode of the podcast, we speak with Gord McKenzie, Canpotex’s President and CEO, about the future and what it holds for this global company with roots on the Canadian prairies. We also hear from current board members and executives from its shareholders - The Mosaic Company and Nutrien - about the role they see Canpotex playing in the next 50 years and beyond.