According to the latest customs data, China imported 1.5471 million metric tons of potassium chloride in February 2026, a month-on-month increase of 1.85%. Cumulative imports for January–February 2026 totaled 3.0661 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 32.67%. Customs data shows that potassium chloride imports reached 1.46 million tons in December 2025. Entering 2026, imports reached 1.519 million tons in January and 1.5471 million tons in February, marking three consecutive months of growth. The total imports over these three months amounted to 4.526 million tons, approaching previous

According to the latest customs data, China imported 1.5471 million tons of potassium chloride in February 2026, a month-on-month increase of 1.85%. Cumulative imports for January–February 2026 totaled 3.0661 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 32.67%.

Customs data shows that potassium chloride imports reached 1.46 million tons in December 2025. Entering 2026, imports rose to 1.519 million tons in January and 1.5471 million tons in February, marking three consecutive months of growth. The total imports over these three months reached 4.526 million tons, approaching the volume typically imported over four months.

The significant volume of potassium chloride imports in 2026 largely supplemented the demand during the peak season from winter stockpiling through spring planting. Amid the spring planting peak, the influx of imported supplies ensured the sustained implementation of the national policy to guarantee supply and stabilize prices. Although domestic port inventories did not reach the 3 million-ton safety threshold despite the significant increase in imports in January and February, major potash fertilizer enterprises continued to release supplies to downstream factories under national policy guidance. This ensured the raw material needs of downstream factories were met and, to some extent, helped suppress high market prices.

In addition to seaborne shipments, China’s potassium chloride imports via border trade have also remained at a relatively high level.

Regarding border trade imports, the total volume of potassium chloride imported via border trade in January and February 2026 reached 490,800 metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 4.69%, with monthly imports averaging around 250,000 metric tons. Although the average import price via border trade has been rising, domestic potash fertilizer supplies remain tight and highly concentrated. The increase in border trade imports has significantly alleviated the shortage of supplies in Northeast China.

Currently, Russia is the largest source of imports, with 915,400 metric tons imported in January–February, accounting for 29.85% of total imports; Belarus is the second-largest source, with 793,700 metric tons imported during the same period, representing 25.89%. Imports from Laos are slightly lower than those from Canada, and imports from Laos are expected to continue to decline gradually in March.

Given the ongoing shifts in the international landscape, future potash imports are expected to be slightly lower than those in January and February. However, with domestic potash supplies remaining tight, major importers continue to negotiate with international suppliers to ensure a steady supply to China.

As an integrated internet platform providing benchmark prices, on March 27, the benchmark price for imported potassium chloride, as reported by SunSirs, stood at RMB3,616.67 per ton—a decrease of 1.36% compared to the beginning of the month (RMB3,666.67 per ton).

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