As fertilizer costs remain volatile, The Fertilizer Institute is calling for urgent federal action to expand U.S. nutrient production capacity, ease permitting, and secure supply chains critical to American agriculture.
With farm input costs continuing to pressure profit margins, the U.S. fertilizer industry is urging Washington to take immediate steps to ramp up domestic nutrient production. In a policy statement released Monday, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) called for a national strategy to address fertilizer supply chain vulnerabilities and shield American farmers from price shocks caused by global market disruptions.
The trade group is asking for the initiative to be led by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, reflecting fertilizer's critical role in commodity production, crop yields, and long-term supply chain stability. "Global factors from all sides continue to drive fertilizer costs, including geopolitical instability, export restrictions, energy volatility, and disrupted trade routes," said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. "The best way Washington can help farmers is by expanding market access for their products, cutting red tape, and strengthening domestic fertilizer supply."
Among TFI's policy priorities are a streamlined permitting process for new and upgraded fertilizer plants and mines, inclusion of phosphate on the final U.S. list of critical minerals, and the appointment of a full-time fertilizer economist at USDA to monitor pricing trends and increase market transparency.
The statement comes one day ahead of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on competition and pricing issues in the fertilizer market - a sector now closely watched by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, state-level farm groups, and the Trump administration. The fertilizer supply crunch gained attention after tariffs on major suppliers and the war in Ukraine revealed the risks of U.S. dependence on foreign producers for potash, phosphate, and nitrogen - essential for corn, wheat, soybeans, and specialty crops alike.
TFI's proposal also includes support for energy policies that ensure affordable and reliable access to natural gas, a key input for nitrogen fertilizer production. These policies are especially crucial for producers of major row crops who rely on consistent fertilizer application to maintain yield efficiency and meet market demand.
Rosenbusch is set to testify at Tuesday's hearing alongside Andy LaVigne, CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, underscoring growing industry-wide concern over input affordability and production security. The push from TFI aligns with parallel efforts by the USDA, which has explored fertilizer grant programs and incentives to support domestic capacity expansion.
Beyond immediate cost relief, TFI is advocating for a "more open, fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment" to help U.S. producers navigate a highly globalized input market. Their message is clear: for America's farmers to remain competitive, policymakers must treat fertilizer not only as an input but as a strategic agricultural asset.