US president Donald Trump said today key nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers, among other agricultural products, are exempt from US import tariffs that were implemented in April.
After just seven months in place, tariffs that have curbed imports to US shores and elevated the price of key fertilizers have been lifted, according to a modification to Executive Order 14257 issued by the White House today. Fertilizers exempted from the tariffs include ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, UAN, ammonium sulfate, DAP and MAP. Potassium fertilizers like MOP were already exempt from import tariffs.
The modification to the tariffs will go into effect for goods imported starting 13 November.
Most fertilizer exporting countries, except for Russia, faced tariff rates of 10-15pc, with some suppliers even facing up to 30pc tariffs, resulting in major shifts in fertilizer trade. Exporters have avoided the US, favoring alternative destinations for their supply. But trade flows could normalize now that fertilizers are now tariff-free.
The tariffs have contributed to eroding fertilizer affordability relative to crop prices in the US this year, driving fertilizer prices to multi-year highs and significantly curbing demand for nutrients across the country. Lower cost imports could help unwind farmer reluctance to enter the market leading up to the spring season in 2026.
