Feb 19 (Reuters) - Nutrien ( NTR ) fell short of Wall Street expectations for

fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, as the top potash producer struggled with lower sales of

crop nutrients.

Quarterly sales for its retail segment were down at $3.18 billion, compared with $3.50

billion a year earlier, dragged by about 15% drop in crop nutrients sales.

The company said the sales volumes were impacted by wet weather in North America in the

quarter as well as its strategic actions in Brazil.

Earlier this month, Nutrien's ( NTR ) Brazilian unit said it would sell its fertilizer blending

plants in the country.

Nutrien ( NTR ) is shifting its focus to reselling farm inputs through its network of local

retailers in Brazil as part of a sharp strategic change after its acquisitions and investments

failed to yield the expected returns.

The Saskatoon, Canada-based firm posted an adjusted profit of 31 cents per share for the

three months ended December 31, compared with the analysts' average estimate of 35 cents per

share, according to data compiled by LSEG.