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Apr. 30, 2026 by Corryn La Rue, American Ag Network Washington, DC -- USDA is rolling out a coordinated set of actions aimed at easing fertilizer costs for U.S. farmers, including expanded import flexibility, shipping waivers, and new investments to boost domestic production. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Tuesday the effort targets both immediate supply pressures and longer-term market constraints during a period in which fertilizer prices remain well above historical norms following the post-2022 spike. The briefing included several senior administration officials and lawmakers, underscoring what the White House described as a broad, interagency effort spanning agriculture, energy, commerce, and environmental policy. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the fertilizer strategy reflects sustained coordination across federal agencies and regular White House meetings focused on supply chain resilience and cost reduction for farmers. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized a dual focus on expanding domestic production while addressing market behavior. He said the administration is prioritizing U.S. fertilizer manufacturing capacity while also monitoring potential anti-competitive pricing practices and ensuring tariff policy supports domestic producers without limiting access to non-domestic inputs not produced at scale in the U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum tied fertilizer costs directly to energy markets, noting that nitrogen fertilizer production is heavily dependent on natural gas. He said recent increases in U.S. energy output are expected to help reduce input costs over time by improving feedstock availability for domestic fertilizer production. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin highlighted regulatory changes related to diesel exhaust fluid systems, arguing that adjustments could reduce operational disruptions for farmers and transportation users. He said the EPA is reviewing additional rules that could further ease compliance requirements tied to emissions control systems. Senator Roger Marshall also participated in the briefing, announcing plans for legislation that would eliminate countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate imports. He said the measure could reduce fertilizer costs by more than 20 percent, or roughly $150 per ton, and added that broader bipartisan discussions are underway to improve market transparency and expand domestic production incentives. Rollins said the interagency approach is intended to address both immediate supply constraints and longer-term structural limitations in the fertilizer market. She pointed to decades of consolidation in the industry, noting that in the 1980s there were nearly 50 nitrogen fertilizer producers in the United States. Today, she said, four companies control roughly 75 percent of the market. In potash, she added, two firms dominate nearly the entire domestic supply chain. She said that concentration has contributed to price volatility and limited flexibility for farmers during peak demand periods. To read the entire report click here. Tweet |
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