UPDATE 2-Agrium to speed up search for new potash mine -CEO

(Adds CEO comments on acquisitions, natural gas. In U.S. dollars unless noted)

By Jeffrey Jones

CALGARY, Alberta, May 7 (Reuters) - Agrium Inc (AGU.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) is plowing more money into its search for a new potash mine site amid record prices for the crop nutrient, the chief executive of the fertilizer producer and farm-products retailer said on Wednesday.

Agrium is examining a new development in Saskatchewan as it proceeds with with expansion of its current potash mine in the province, CEO Mike Wilson said.

"Our board just today approved additional capital to accelerate our look-forward on greenfield facilities," Wilson told shareholders at the company's annual meeting.

Potash prices have soared as farmers around the world try to capitalize on skyrocketing grain prices, which have caused food inflation in some countries and shortages in others.

Agrium, the smallest of three producers in Canada's potash belt, mines 2.05 million tonnes of the mineral from a Saskatchewan operation and has said it is considering expanding capacity there by a total of 800,000 tonnes.

That will likely cost $500 million, with one stage starting up in 2012 and a second a year later, he said.

A new mine producing 2 million tonnes could cost $2.5 billion, Wilson told reporters.