PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Canadian-based, global fertilizer giant, Nutrien, has confirmed that there has been “no production from the Trinidad and New Madrid facilities” following the controlled shutdown of its facility at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate on October 23, 2025
In its first quarter 2026 financial report, the company said it is “progressing as planned with the review of strategic alternatives for our phosphate business, Trinidad nitrogen facility, and Brazilian retail business with a focus on enhancing earnings quality and free cash flow”.
The company increased its quarterly dividend to US$0.55 per share, indicating strong financial health and commitment to shareholders.
Fertilizer prices rose during the quarter, led by a surge in nitrogen rates as global supplies tightened due to the Middle East conflict, while phosphate prices were broadly higher and potash held relatively firm, supporting margins for producers such as Nutrien.
According to the financial report, Nutrien’s profits increased substantially in the first quarter of 2026, with net earnings rising to US$139 million from US$19 million in the same period of 2025. The company said this growth was driven by record potash sales volumes, higher fertilizer prices, and strong performance in its nitrogen and retail segments.
“We increased production from our low-cost North American assets and positioned our supply chain to reliably supply our customers amid tightening global fertilizer supply and demand fundamentals,” said the company’s president and chief executive officer, Ken Seitz.
“We continue to take purposeful steps to simplify the business, strengthen and grow our core asset base and improve capital efficiency, resulting in a more resilient portfolio and delivering structural free cash flow growth,” he added.
Despite the Trinidad shutdown, Nutrien maintained its 2026 nitrogen sales guidance of 9.2-9.7 million tonnes, saying the outlook is supported by “planned reliability improvements and debottlenecks”.
The company also plans capital expenditure of between two billion and US$2.1 billion this year, including an estimated US$400 million for “low-cost brownfield expansions and product optimization projects in nitrogen”.
There was no indication whether any of that investment would be directed toward restarting the Trinidad operation.
Earlier this year, former prime minister and former energy minister Stuart Young questioned whether Nutrien was preparing to sell its physical assets in Trinidad and Tobago, telling reporters that he had been reliably informed that the company’s Point Lisas facility may be up for sale.
Young described the possibility as “a disaster for Trinidad and Tobago,” warning the fallout would extend beyond plant workers.
But Nutrien’s manager of Government and Industry Affairs, Nneka Mentore, told the Trinidad Guardian newspaper then that “following a controlled shutdown in October, our nitrogen operations remain shut down.
“We have maintained all 322 full-time employee positions and are in ongoing dialogue with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the National Gas Company. All options remain under consideration.”
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