Laos now mines more potash than Israel or Jordan
Potash (a key crop fertiliser) mine output, million tonnes K2O, 2022–2025. USGS estimates for Laos; 2025 estimated for all.
Laos mined an estimated 2.4 million tonnes of potash (K2O) in 2024, ahead of Israel (2.26) and Jordan (1.73).
Laos ranks sixth among the world's potash miners, with about 5% of world output in 2025.
Laos holds an estimated billion tonnes (K2O) of potash reserves, and USGS expects most new world capacity from Laos and Russia.
the numbers
| Year | Laos (Mt) | Germany (Mt) | Israel (Mt) | Jordan (Mt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 1.6 |
| 2023 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 1.7 |
| 2024 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.7 |
| 2025 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.8 |
source notes & method
Mine production in thousand metric tons of K2O equivalent, shown in millions. USGS revises past years, so each year uses the latest edition that reports it: 2024 and 2025 from MCS 2026 (Feb 2026); 2023 from MCS 2025 (https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2025/mcs2025-potash.pdf); 2022 from MCS 2024 (https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2024/mcs2024-potash.pdf). Laos figures are USGS estimates in every edition (2022 e700, 2023 e1,500, 2024 e2,400); MCS 2026 notes the 2024 Laos figure was significantly revised (from e1,500 in MCS 2025) based on company and industry reports; part of the climb shown from 2022 to 2024 therefore reflects that upward revision (with MCS 2025's 2024 estimate the rise is about 2.1×, with MCS 2026's about 3.4×). Laos outranks Israel and Jordan in both 2024 and 2025 within MCS 2026 alone. Germany 2022–2024 are also USGS estimates; all 2025 values are estimates. Earlier editions differ (e.g. Laos 2023 was e1,400 in MCS 2024). 2025 ranking (Canada 15,000, Russia 10,000, China 6,300, Belarus 6,000, Germany 3,000, Laos 2,400, Israel 2,000, Jordan 1,800) and Laos's 4.9% share of the 49,000 world total are progrss calculations from MCS 2026. Reserves: Laos 1,000,000 thousand t K2O (MCS 2026). The capacity outlook ('Most of the increase would be MOP from new mines and expansion projects in Laos and Russia') is USGS's own wording.
Published 3 Nov 2026
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