A potential strike by Canadian rail workers could cost the fertilizer industry up to USD 46.2 mn every day in lost revenues, in addition to operational and logistical costs, Fertilizer Canada warned in an emailed statement cited by Reuters. “Our industry continues to be very concerned by the potential of a dual rail disruption and the cascading impacts on Canada’s economy and global food security,” it said. Canada is the biggest producer and exporter of a key ingredient in fertilizers, potash, with railways moving some 69k metric tons per day. Some 75% of all fertilizer products in the country are moved by rail.

(** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

BACKGROUND- Canada’s two largest railroad operators issued lockout orders on Sunday amid a dispute with the country’s Teamsters union. The two railroad operators — Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) — have said they would lock out workers today unless agreements are reached.

The state of play: Union and company negotiators were in last-minute talks at dispatch time today as a deadline of midnight Ottawa time approached for an agreement, according to the Globe and Mail.

Tags: