March 13 (Reuters) - German potash and salt miner K+S

beat 2024 core profit expectations on Thursday as

higher sales volumes from agriculture customers helped to offset

lower potash prices.

The group reported earnings before interest, tax,

depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 557.7 million euros

($607.2 million), topping analysts' average forecast of 542.3

million euros, according to Vara Research.

Rivals such as U.S.-based Mosaic and Canada's

Nutrien ( NTR ) reported lower than expected 2024 results on

the back of lower sales.

"Considering that we had a year in which potash prices were

at a relatively low level ... we really came through this year

well," CEO Burkhard Lohr said in an interview.

Potash prices stabilised in 2024, following a period of

volatility caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine that shrank

margins at potash miners.

In 2025, K+S expects EBITDA to range between 500 and 620

million euros.

Analysts' average forecast is 537.5 million euros, according

to Vara Research.

"Perhaps we will also achieve the 80 million tons of global

potash demand for the first time in this industry. However, this

also depends on how the spring season goes", Burkhard Lohr said.

K+S will propose a 2024 dividend of 15 cents per share, it

said. Last year, it paid out 0.70 euro per share.

($1 = 0.9185 euros)