By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Farmers could see lower fertilizer prices after President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending countervailing duties (CVDs) on certain imported phosphate fertilizers.

The temporary suspension removes tariffs on qualifying phosphate fertilizer imports, a move the administration said will increase fertilizer availability, improve market competition and reduce costs for farmers ahead of future planting seasons.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the action could save farmers an estimated $1.82 billion annually by lowering phosphate fertilizer prices by about 22%.

USDA estimates more than 100,000 farms across 97 million planted acres will benefit from the executive order as additional phosphate fertilizer supplies enter the U.S. market.

Fertilizer is one of the largest input costs in crop production, and high prices in recent years have added financial strain for farmers already facing inflation, elevated interest rates and low commodity prices.

“Farmers applaud President Trump’s executive order to suspend tariffs on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco. Skyrocketing fertilizer costs have contributed to rising expenses for farmers who were already struggling after years of inflation, depressed commodity markets and high interest rates. In fact, 7 out of 10 farmers said, in a Farm Bureau survey this spring, that they would not be able to afford enough fertilizer for this year,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said..

The executive order is part of a broader effort to improve fertilizer affordability and strengthen the nation’s fertilizer supply chain.

Recent actions by the Trump administration include designating phosphate and potash as critical minerals, creating a joint memorandum between USDA and the Department of Justice to address anti-competitive practices affecting agricultural inputs, accelerating domestic fertilizer manufacturing projects and establishing a USDA agricultural economist position focused on fertilizer markets.

The administration said those efforts are intended to expand domestic fertilizer production, strengthen supply chains, create rural jobs and reduce reliance on foreign fertilizer sources over the long term.

“The decision to suspend tariffs on critical supplies, along with the recent request for emergency economic aid for farmers, are common-sense steps that will bring relief to farmers at a time when they need it most,” Duvall said. “We shared the impact of high fertilizer prices and availability with the president, and we appreciate him listening to those concerns. We’ll continue to work with the administration to find more ways to improve market conditions and lower expenses for the men and women who work to ensure pantries are stocked for America’s families.”

The administration said the temporary tariff suspension is intended to provide immediate cost relief while complementing long-term efforts to rebuild domestic fertilizer manufacturing capacity and improve fertilizer availability for farmers.