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Approximately 350 employees at Nutrien’s Point Lisas nitrogen complex face retrenchment as the Canadian fertiliser giant moves to indefinitely shut down its Trinidad operations.
Workers were informed of the decision during a staff meeting yesterday, where management, which is headed by president CEO Ken Seitz, announced plans to begin cutting jobs as the company winds down its nitrogen business in Trinidad by year-end.
The move marks the culmination of a strategic review launched after Nutrien implemented a controlled shutdown of the Point Lisas facility on October 23, 2025, citing restricted access to port facilities and the lack of a reliable and economically viable natural gas supply.
The shutdown was initially presented as temporary, with the company indicating it would continue discussions with stakeholders while assessing options for the operation’s future.
Within days of the closure, around 350 contract workers were sent home, although permanent employees remained on staff.
The situation worsened in January when the National Gas Company (NGC) isolated the gas meters serving the facility following the expiration of Nutrien’s gas supply agreement on January 1. At the time, Guardian Media reported that roughly 400 permanent workers and 100 contractors remained attached to the operation.
Nutrien subsequently explored several strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the facility, maintaining throughout the review that there was no predetermined outcome.
In its first-quarter 2026 financial report, the company confirmed there had been no production from its Trinidad and New Madrid facilities since the October 2025 shutdown. It also said it was evaluating options for the Trinidad nitrogen business with the aim of improving earnings quality and free cash flow.
That review has now ended with the decision to indefinitely suspend the Trinidad operation.
The closure comes amid a prolonged dispute with National Energy over port charges. In May, Guardian Media reported that National Energy was still pursuing millions of dollars in disputed fees from Nutrien despite the plant being shut down.
A revised demand reduced the claim from US$28 million (about TT$190 million) to TT$157 million (approximately US$23 million). The amount covers port fees dating back to September 2025 and stems from a disagreement over rates charged to the company.
Despite the shutdown, Nutrien has said its 2026 nitrogen sales forecast remains unchanged because production from Trinidad had already been excluded from its projections. The company also maintains it can meet customer demand through increased output from its North American operations.
The closure delivers a significant blow to the Point Lisas industrial estate. Nutrien’s local operation includes four ammonia plants with a combined production capacity of 1.8 million tonnes annually and a urea plant capable of producing 600,000 tonnes per year.
Beyond the direct loss of jobs, the shutdown is expected to affect contractors, suppliers and service providers linked to the operation, while Trinidad and Tobago stands to lose valuable export earnings and foreign exchange generated by the facility.
Nutrien’s impact on T&T
Nutrien was one of Trinidad and Tobago’s largest ammonia and fertiliser producers, operating from the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and contributing significantly to exports, employment and foreign exchange earnings before it commenced a controlled shutdown of its five-plant operations on October 21, 2025.
The Canadian company cited port access issues and a lack of reliable and economic natural gas supply.
Key facts and figures:
2018: Nutrien Ltd was formed through the merger of PotashCorp and Agrium, bringing Trinidad’s PCS Nitrogen assets into the new company.
Point Lisas operations produced ammonia and urea for export markets around the world.
1.79 million tonnes: Nameplate capacity of four plants
85,000 tonnes: Average monthly ammonia exports from Trinidad before the shutdown.
55,000 tonnes: Average monthly urea exports from Trinidad.
140,000 tonnes: Combined monthly exports of ammonia and urea products.
Nearly 600 jobs: Employees and contractors supported by the operation.
788,470 metric tonnes: Ammonia produced by Nutrien’s four Trinidad plants during the first nine months of 2025.
788,470 metric tonnes: Ammonia exported during the first nine months of 2025.
30 countries: Export destinations served by Nutrien’s Trinidad operations.
October 23, 2025: Nutrien begins idling its Trinidad nitrogen operations, citing natural gas supply constraints and port access restrictions.
October 5, 2026: Nutrien shuts down its Trinidad operations, with staff being informed that retrenchment is about to begin.
