Israel Chemicals Ltd. reported earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company's net sales totaled $1,640 million, a 9% increase compared with $1,499 million recorded in the first quarter of 2012 and 26% compared sequentially with $1,303 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase reflected rising quantities sold of potash, phosphates and some of the company's other products, countered partially by reductions in selling prices. Approximately 50% of the company's revenues for the quarter derived from products manufactured outside of Israel. Operating income for the first quarter of 2013 totaled $363 million, a 6% increase compared with $343 million for the first quarter of 2012 and 91% compared with $190 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase reflected the rise in gross profit, countered partially by higher operating expenses. Pre-tax income was $360 million against $333 million a year ago. Net income to shareholders for the first quarter of 2013 totaled $305 million, a 6% increase compared with $289 million for the first quarter of 2012 and 47% compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. EBITDA for the reporting period totaled $445 million, a 3% increase compared with $432 million for the first quarter of 2012, and a 38% increase compared with $323 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The improvement reflected the rise in gross profit, as described below, countered partially by higher energy expenses. Operating cash flow was $192 million against $321 million a year ago. Investment in property, plant and equipment less grants received was $183 million against $143 million a year ago. The company’s board of directors declared a dividend totaling $213 million will be paid on June 20, 2013 in respect of its first quarter 2013 results.

The Beersheva District Labor Court ordered employees of Israel Chemicals Ltd. unit Dead Sea Works to go back to work, and end the labor sanctions. The court accepted Israel Chemicals management's argument that the industrial action was really about bonuses, not the negotiations between the government and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. over its wish to acquire the company. The court ordered the government to brief it, after Passover, on the talks over a possible sale of Israel Chemicals.

Hundreds of employees of Israel Chemicals Ltd. unit Dead Sea Works on March 18, 2013 launched labor sanctions to protest negotiations on a possible merger of Israel Chemicals, controlled by Israel Corporation, with Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. The workers committee is accusing management of a lack of transparency about the merger talks with the Canadian company. There have been reports that Potash Corporation plans to submit an improved take - over offer for Israel Chemicals to the government within a month. The government owns a golden share in Israel Chemicals, which means that it must approve any acquisition of the company. Israel Chemicals employees fear that an acquisition will jeopardize their jobs, result in the transfer of operations to Jordan, and terminate the company's development plans for the south. Israel Chemicals employs 5,000 people at its facilities in the south, and as reports about a pending deal emerged, the employees and the Histadrut declared a labor dispute.