I hope everyone learned from (recent) events the importance of Canpotex. That goes for government and a lot of others.
Canpotex is the marketing organization for the potash mines in Saskatchewan. They came to the same conclusion as did farmers years ago when they fought for the Canadian Wheat Board, the single marketing for wheat and barley.
It doesn’t make sense for every potash mine and every grain company following each other around the world in competition with each other, selling the same product and probably having to reduce the price to make a sale.
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One organization for both potash and wheat and barley can do more market development than a number of individual companies. They can assure customers of supply on time. Both Canpotex and the CWB have developed an excellent reputation around the world for Canadian products, which could very well be at risk.
All sales from the marketing of wheat and barley, less costs, go to farmers, which gives them greater purchasing power. I expect sales of potash are allocated in their own agreed way.
I commend the stand our provincial government took regarding the importance of Canpotex. I’m sure they realized it is much easier to deal with potash as an industry when determining revenue for their own provincial budgeting process.
Avery Sahl
Mossbank, Sask.
