2012 Annual Report: The Roots of Our Success

Mosaic’s success in fiscal 2012 demonstrates the commitment of our 8,000 employees around the world. While the economy and financial markets remained volatile, we made significant progress toward achieving our vision of Mosaic becoming the best crop nutrition company in the world.

• We resolved litigation that limited production at our South Fort Meade phosphate mine in Florida. By the end of calendar 2012, we expect to have access to the full capacity of our South Fort Meade resources, which should result in lower phosphate production costs.
• We settled a dispute over a potash tolling agreement at our Esterhazy, Saskatchewan mine. Beginning in January 2013, we will have an additional 1.3 million tonnes of proven potash peaking production capacity to help meet our customers’ needs.
• We made important headway with our $6 billion potash expansion projects. We’re nearing completion of the K2 shaft and mill expansion at our Esterhazy mines, and our Belle Plaine Phase I expansion is complete. We expect these projects will generate over one million tonnes of new capacity in fiscal 2013.
• We continued to operate with excellence, reducing costs and increasing operating efficiency. As a result, we’re maintaining our low-cost position in global phosphate manufacturing and improving potash recovery rates.
• We were named to the S&P 500 Index, reflecting our position as one of the world’s largest companies.
• We delivered our best safety year ever as we continued our relentless pursuit of an injury-free workplace.
• We made further advances in our steadfast commitments to sustainability and corporate responsibility.
• And we continued to support our communities with targeted corporate giving, employee donations and volunteer work.

Mosaic’s progress in fiscal 2012 was bolstered by an increasingly strong financial foundation. We generated net sales of $11.1 billion, compared with $9.9 billion in 2011. Net earnings for the year were $1.9 billion, compared with $2.5 billion in the previous year. In fiscal 2011, net earnings included $70 million from the sale of Fosfertil. While volatile markets can impact our business for short periods of time, our financial might provides resilience and flexibility. In the midst of our major investments to grow for the long term, we were able to return significant capital to shareholders. The company repurchased 21.3 million shares and increased its dividend by 150 percent during fiscal 2012. Since the end of the fiscal year, Mosaic has announced an additional dividend increase of $.50 per share, making a 400-percent total change since the beginning of calendar 2012. After these investments and shareholder distributions, our cash position remains a source of strength, with $3.8 billion as we start fiscal 2013.

Our successes were recognized externally. For the first time, Mosaic was included in the Ethisphere Institute’s list of the world’s most ethical companies; we were the only crop nutrition company on the list. Ethisphere honors companies that promote ethical business standards and practices internally, exceed legal compliance minimums and shape future industry standards. In addition, for the third year in a row Mosaic was named to Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s list of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens. Mosaic was ranked 28^th — up from 67^th in 2011 — in recognition of its conservation and environmental stewardship efforts, as well as its financial and governance transparency.

We manage Mosaic for the long term. Quarterly and even annual results can suffer or benefit from the whims of the economy, the grain and oilseeds markets, transportation costs, weather and many other influences. In order to fulfill Mosaic’s critically important mission of helping the world grow the food it needs, the company must have the ability to navigate both turbulent and calm waters. I am certain that we have the management experience and strength, and the commitment to operating with excellence, to do just that.

Read more