XML 97 R26.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3.a.u2
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]  
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if counterparties failed completely to perform as contracted. Concentrations of credit risk, whether on- or off-balance sheet, that arise from financial instruments exist for counterparties when they have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions.
Our products are marketed for sale into three primary markets. These markets are the agricultural market as a fertilizer, the industrial market as a component in drilling fluids for oil and gas exploration, and the animal feed market as a nutrient. Credit risks associated with the collection of accounts receivable are primarily related to the impact of external factors on our customers. Our customers are distributors and end-users whose credit worthiness and ability to meet their payment obligations will be affected by factors in their industries and markets. Those factors include soil nutrient levels, crop prices, weather, the type of crops planted, changes in diets, growth in population, the amount of land under cultivation, fuel prices and consumption, oil and gas drilling and completion activity, the demand for biofuels, government policy, and the relative value of currencies. Our industrial sales are significantly influenced by oil and gas drilling activity.
In 2019, 2018, and 2017, no customer accounted for more than 10% of our sales. Because of the size of our company compared to the overall size of the North American market and the regional demands for our products, we believe that a decline in a specific customer's purchases would not have a material adverse long-term effect on our financial results.
In each of the last three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, 94%, 95%, and 88%, respectively, of our total sales were sold to customers located in the United States. All of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.
We maintain cash accounts with several financial institutions. At times, the balances in the accounts may exceed the $250,000 balance insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.