Sulfate of Potash
Sulfate of Potash, also known as potassium sulfate or SOP, is a specialty fertilizer essential for many high value crops. A variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, such avocados, strawberries, citrus, tomatoes, and almonds, do not tolerate the chlorides found in other forms of potash. Since SOP does not contain chlorides, it must be used for these chloride-sensitive crops. As improving living standards drive increased consumption of these high-value foods, farmers must use SOP to boost production to meet the growing need.
Increasing Populations + Declining Arable Land + Changing Diets = Need for Higher Crop Yields + Growing Demand for SOP
The market for SOP has significant potential for growth with the majority of the world materially under-applying SOP relative to its chloride sensitive crop planted area, compared to the major consumers of China and USA.
Since SOP provides both potassium and sulfur, even crops that are less sensitive to chlorides may still require SOP for optimal growth if the soil has accumulated salts from irrigation water. Further, SOP can be made soluble so it can be delivered directly to the plants. This lowers fertilizer use and allows for greater control of nutrients making farming more efficient.