PotashCorp Reduces 2009 Earnings Guidance

Listed: TSX, NYSE Symbol: POT
SASKATOON, Sept. 18 /CNW/ - Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) today announced revised earnings guidance of $3.25-$3.75 per share for full-year 2009, shifting from a range of $4.00-$5.00 per share(1) provided in July 2009. The change primarily reflects lower than forecasted potash sales volumes due to continued slow demand and limited restocking by fertilizer distributors around the world. Over the past 12 months, nearly 20 million tonnes of potash production has been curtailed by global producers. PotashCorp will continue to keep a tight rein on our production until demand returns in the new year. Our 2009 earnings are still expected to be among the best in company history, despite an anticipated decrease of 60 percent in year-over-year potash volumes and an 85 percent decline in our combined phosphate and nitrogen gross margin. Earnings for third-quarter 2009 are expected to be at the low-end of the $0.80-$1.20 per share guidance range previously provided.

Potash inventories that can be measured in the retail chain - this excludes less easily identified inventories in China - have been largely eliminated and potash levels in soils around the world have been significantly reduced. This creates a progressively higher risk to crop yields as soil fertility is continually diminished. While the immediate impact has been masked by good weather and residual soil nutrient levels in markets with healthy long-term fertilization and agronomic practices, such as the US and Australia, yields for key crops in several other major growing regions are expected to be substantially below 2008 levels. A significant rebound is required to address this situation and we expect 2010 global potash demand to be in the range of 50-55 million tonnes.

"Food production is an unending and long-term business," said PotashCorp President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Doyle. "Decisions related to fertilizer use today inevitably impact crop yields - and soil needs - for years to come. Although there are fluctuations in fertilizer demand, there is an essential need for our products that is based on science. The potash, phosphate and nitrogen being mined from the soil by current crops must be replaced to protect the world's future food production. As farmers around the world begin the lengthy process of replenishing nutrients in the soil, we anticipate a new wave of demand growth that will allow us to once again demonstrate the full potential of our company."

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. is the world's largest fertilizer enterprise by capacity producing the three primary plant nutrients and a leading supplier to three distinct market categories: agriculture, with the largest capacity in the world in potash and third largest in phosphate and nitrogen; animal nutrition, with the world's largest capacity in phosphate feed ingredients; and industrial chemicals, as the largest global producer of industrial nitrogen products and the world's largest capacity for production of purified industrial phosphoric acid.