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Global Food Security Under Threat: THIS Commodity to Benefit BIG TIME

Commodity Culture Jun 26, 2026

Summary

The US uses about 7 million tons of potash (a potassium fertilizer) a year but produces only 5% domestically, the guest says.

Potash prices have climbed on the Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East shipping disruption, and supply contracts India and China signed earlier this year.

Lithium is up roughly 170% year over year; the guest cites mine curtailments, Chinese restocking, and energy storage demand as signs of a new cycle.

American Critical Minerals controls about 32,000 acres in Utah's Paradox Basin, targeting potash, lithium, and bromine about 20 miles from Intrepid Potash's Moab mine.

Permitted for up to 7 wells with about C$5.4 million on hand, it plans one drill hole from late July, with results around October.

Dean Pekeski's takeaways

  • Top takeaway Argues potash prices have risen over the last 12 to 18 months and that the increase should hold, citing geopolitical conflict, new India and China contracts resetting the price floor, limited new supply, and tariff effects on US farmers.
  • Believes lithium has bottomed and entered a new upcycle, driven by Australian mine curtailments, Chinese production shutdowns, early restocking in China, and EV demand growth of roughly 15-20% per year plus emerging energy-storage demand.
  • Contends the under-supplied US market makes a domestic Utah potash mine valuable, with the Green River project close to rail and able to serve California and the Corn Belt while staying insulated from supply-chain disruption.
  • Claims each well drilled could open three commodity pathways - potash, lithium, and bromine - which he says would make the company fairly unique in the mining space.
  • Frames the upcoming catalysts as securing the drill rig by contract, starting drilling, announcing well completions, and delivering geochemical results around October 2026.

Jesse Day's takeaways

  • Top takeaway Frames the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure as exposing fragility in global supply chains and uses that to question how a domestic potash source could strengthen supply chains.
  • Observes lithium is up around 170% year over year as of the interview and asks the guest what catalysts could push prices higher.