Uncovering the endogenous features of potassium salts' global transfer: A complex network perspective

Potassium is a decisive strategic resource to ensure food safety production and supply, which many nations define as a critical metal. Due to the unbalanced distribution of resources and production capacity and the separation of the primary potassium-consuming and supplying countries, international trade is the main supply channel for potassium-consuming countries to acquire enough resources. Understanding the characteristics of potassium trade networks and the evolution of trade patterns is essential for supply security. To explore this issue, this paper employs the complex network theory to quantitatively analyze the evolution characteristics of the global potassium trade network (PTN) from 2000 to 2021. The results show (1) Overall, the potassium trade shows a trend of gradual prosperity, efficiency, and concentration; (2) During the two decades, the main exporting countries of potassium remained stable, while imports changed significantly; (3) The evolution of the potassium trade community has characterized the fragmentation-regionalization-high concentration over time; (4) The trade flow of PTN is unbalanced, and few countries show outstanding capabilities but a single function. These findings would help trade policymakers manage the supply of strategic raw materials more effectively.