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Apr. 7, 2026
By Jed Bower, President, National Corn Growers Association Chesterfield, MO -- As American corn farmers prepare to plant one of the most expensive crops in history, the leaders at two of the nation's largest fertilizer corporations are doing everything possible to make it even worse. At a time when costs are rising across the board, these companies are working hard to ensure prices stay high for farmers and, ultimately, consumers. The near exclusive focus on the effects of the Middle East conflict on supply costs has overshadowed the disgraceful and shameless role Mosaic Company and J.R. Simplot, both U.S.-based fertilizer companies, have played to keep key fertilizers scarce and costly for those of us who grow the food, fuel and fiber for our country. This story of corporate greed originated in 2020 when Mosaic petitioned the U.S. International Trade Commission to place tariffs on imports of phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco and Russia. Mosaic claimed at the time that unfairly subsidized foreign companies were flooding the U.S. market with fertilizers and selling the products at extremely low prices. The petition was supported by J.R. Simplot. (The National Corn Growers Association weighed in at the time to oppose the petition.) ITC heeded the calls and imposed tariffs on these products shortly after the petition was filed. The result: An immediate halt of phosphate fertilizer shipments from Morocco into the U.S., making it hard for farmers to access a critical tool and causing prices of these products to skyrocket to their highest in history. This is no small matter. Phosphate fertilizers are a vital micronutrient for plants, and farmers, particularly corn growers, cannot raise a crop without them. And, while growers purchase large quantities from companies in the U.S., it's impossible for fertilizer companies in this country, many of which export tons of their products to other nations, to meet domestic demand. Leaders at Mosaic and J.R. Simplot claim they are only protecting their financial interests. But in reality, these are multi-billion-dollar corporations that are allowing greed to motivate them to bite the hand that feeds them - figuratively and literally. In fact, these companies do not need import protection to keep them healthy. They are already making out like bandits. The CEO of Mosaic, for example, receives $9.8 million in annual compensation. Those of us who farm in the U.S., on the other hand, do need help or at least a level playing field. Corn growers like me are entering the fourth year of net losses, and 2026 is expected to be one of the most expensive crops ever planted. Meantime, we are struggling to pay for critical supplies, such as fertilizer, and Mosaic and J.R. Simplot's actions have made a bad situation worse. Since the phosphate duties were put in place, farmers have paid $6.9 billion in additional costs. If action isn't taken soon, the situation will only become more painful as we book supplies for 2027 in a few short months. As the ITC reexamines the duties, we have called on executives at the companies to rescind their previous calls to maintain them. Not only have our letters gone unanswered, but these leaders had the nerve to reup their calls for duties on these products. Clearly, they are as shameless as they are greedy. But the ITC has a hand to play, and it should play it. We call on the commission to move quickly during the sunset review to eliminate the tariffs and restore imports of phosphate fertilizer. Such a decision would almost certainly restore shipments of fertilizers from Morocco and lower costs. Congress has a role to play, too. It should continue to scrutinize the activities of these companies to ensure they are not using the conflict in the Middle East to price gouge. Moreover, the president, a close ally of farmers and the people of rural America, should use his powerful voice to call out the actions of these leaders. We have little power to make an immediate impact on what is happening in the Middle East. But we should be able to reverse the actions that were put in motion by corporate leaders whose resort vacations, mansions and yachts are financed on the backs of America's farmers. Jed Bower is an Ohio farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association. Tweet |
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