U.S. farm groups press Mosaic and Simplot to drop support for phosphate import duties

A coalition of 64 U.S. agricultural organizations is urging fertilizer producers The Mosaic Company and J.R. Simplot Company to withdraw their support for duties on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco, arguing the measures are contributing to high costs for American farmers.

In a March 13 letter sent to Mosaic Chief Executive Bruce Bodine and Simplot Chief Executive Garrett Lofto, the groups said fertilizer prices in the United States have increased amid geopolitical tensions, including the recent Middle East conflict, despite limited direct disruption to domestic supply. They urged the companies to renounce their backing of antidumping and countervailing duties imposed on Moroccan phosphate imports.

The letter was signed by a broad group of farm and commodity organizations, including the National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation and American Soybean Association, along with dozens of state-level producer groups.

The duties date to a 2020 case brought before the U.S. Department of Commerce after Mosaic petitioned U.S. authorities to investigate phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco and Russia. The company argued that foreign producers were benefiting from government subsidies and selling products in the U.S. at unfairly low prices. Simplot supported the complaint.

Following the investigation, the Commerce Department imposed countervailing and antidumping duties on the imports. According to the farm groups, the decision led at least one Moroccan supplier to halt shipments to the U.S., reducing supply and contributing to higher fertilizer prices.

In their letter, the organizations said countervailing duties—intended to protect domestic manufacturers from subsidized imports—have kept phosphate fertilizer prices elevated while limiting supply diversification. With farm input costs still near historically high levels, they said additional supplies are needed to stabilize the market.

“Farmers across the United States are struggling as input costs remain close to record highs,” the groups wrote, adding that increased access to fertilizers is critical to maintaining U.S. agricultural production and food security.

The organizations asked Mosaic and Simplot to withdraw support for the duties and work with agricultural customers to allow additional phosphate supplies to enter the U.S. market. The letter was also copied to members of Congress, including the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.