Nutrien misses quarterly profit estimates on weaker potash, nitrogen sales volumes

Aug. 5 (Reuters) - Nutrien missed analysts' estimates for second-quarter profit on Wednesday, as lower sales volumes in its potash and nitrogen businesses weighed on the world's top potash producer.

While fertilizer prices have been favorable, producers remain vulnerable to volume fluctuations, as earnings depend on both nutrient pricing and the amount of product shipped to farmers.

Quarterly nitrogen sales volumes fell to 2.253 million tonnes from 3.017 million tonnes a year earlier, while potash sales volumes edged down to 3.943 million tonnes from 3.989 million tonnes.

The Saskatoon, Canada-based company posted an adjusted profit of $2.61 per share for the three months ended June 30, compared with analysts' average estimate of $2.71, according to data compiled by LSEG.