According to the latest customs data, China imported 752,100 tons of potassium chloride in August 2025, a month-on-month increase of 41.16%. However, cumulative imports from January to August totaled 7.5649 million tons, down 6.34% compared to the same period last year. On the export side, China shipped 1,100 tons of potassium chloride in August, up 10% month-on-month, while cumulative exports from January to August reached 27,200 tons, a sharp decline of 71.03% year-on-year.
Import Trends Reflect Contract Timing
Although potassium chloride imports in February–April 2025 were significantly higher than the same months in 2024, volumes remained subdued in subsequent months. July 2025 saw the lowest monthly import volume of the year.
The new annual supply contract for 2025 was signed in June, but shipments did not arrive promptly. Some supplying countries only finalized contracts with China in July. As a result, most of the new contract volumes began entering the domestic market in August. While August imports showed a clear recovery from July, the total remained relatively low, falling short of 800,000 tons.
Border Trade Volumes Surge, Prices Rise
In contrast to the overall decline in potassium chloride imports, border trade imports via rail increased noticeably in 2025. In August, border trade volume reached 216,300 tons, bringing the January–August total to 1.5149 million tons, a year-on-year surge of 112.20%.
However, border trade import prices have continued to climb, especially since the second half of the year. The average price in August rose to $352 per ton. It is reported that price negotiations for upcoming monthly border trade shipments may lead to further increases, though final figures have not yet been confirmed.
Major Supply Sources
From January to August 2025, Russia remained the largest supplier of potassium chloride to China, with imports totaling 2.7712 million tons, accounting for 36.63% of the total. Belarus ranked second, supplying 1.4777 million tons (19.53%), followed by Laos with 1.2964 million tons (17.14%). Volumes from Canada, ranked fourth, were not far behind.
Outlook
As China’s 2025 annual contracts are gradually executed, import volumes are expected to recover starting in September and October. It is anticipated that September imports may rebound to around 1 million tons, ensuring stable supply in the domestic potassium fertilizer market.
