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Feb 18 (Reuters) - Nutrien NTR.TO missed analysts' expectations for fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, as lower sales in its crop nutrients business weighed on the world's top potash producer.

Declining crop prices, weakening demand and heightened geopolitical tensions have squeezed profitability across the agricultural supply chain, as the sector navigated a challenging end to 2025.

That uncertainty weighed on fertilizer purchases and on producers facing tight nitrogen supplies and shifting global trade flows.

Crop nutrients sales and margin decreased in the fourth quarter due to lower sales volumes from a weather-shortened fall application window in the U.S. and reduced demand for phosphate, the company said.

Quarterly sales at the crop nutrients segment stood at $1.51 billion, compared to $1.53 billion last year

The Saskatoon, Canada-based firm posted an adjusted profit of 83 cents per share for the three months ended December 31, compared with analysts' average estimate of 95 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG.