The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan narrowed its full-year earnings forecast range as the company reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says the price of potash has plunged year-over-year, triggered by the breakup of trading partnership Belarusian Potash that created more competition among producers. Potash Corp. said the average realized price for potash fell 8.5 per cent to $281 (U.S.) per ton in the third quarter from a year earlier. Potash prices rose 7 per cent from the second quarter, however, and sales volume jumped 29 per cent from a year earlier. The global potash industry was now expected to ship 58 million to 60 million tons in 2014, more than the 56.5 million to 58 million it had estimated earlier. Global potash demand in 2015 looked to reach similar levels, despite a drop in crop prices, said chief executive officer Jochen Tilk. Farmers in the United States have used less fertilizer this fall due to lower crop prices and a delay in harvest. Even so, fundamentals are improving, said Jeffrey Nelson, analyst at Edward Jones. "It's a slow slog ... but fundamentals are getting better for sure," he said.