Agrium Inc. and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan
have reached deals with national regulators so their merger can be completed,
but it comes at a cost.
China was the last holdout and it requires Potash
Corp. to give up its minority holdings in Arab Potash Company, in Sociedad Quimica
y Minera de Chile S.A. and Israel Chemicals Ltd.
Agrium is selling its Idaho phosphate production plant
for $100 million to Itafos and its nitric acid plant in North Bend, Indiana, to
a subsidiary of Trammo Inc. for an undisclosed price.
The merger is now expected to close before the end of
this year, bringing together the world’s largest fertilizer retailer with the
world’s largest potash producer.
