Adds detail on the lack of full exemption status for ammonia and recent Nola urea futures trade
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, but ammonia's status under the tariff modification remains unclear.
After just seven months in place, tariffs that have curbed imports to US shores and elevated the price of fertilizers have been lifted, according to a modification to Executive Order 14257 issued by the White House today. Fertilizers exempted from the tariffs include urea, ammonium nitrate, UAN, ammonium sulfate, TSP, DAP and MAP.
Ammonia could qualify for tariff exemptions, but eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the secretary of commerce and the US Trade Representative, depending on the terms of existing or ongoing trade negotiations with each country.
Potassium fertilizers like MOP were already exempt from import tariffs.
The modification to the tariffs went into effect for goods imported starting 13 November.
January Nola urea futures traded down roughly $30/st late Friday afternoon to $360/st fob following the announcement, but otherwise activity was largely subdued given the modifications' proximity to the weekend. Fertilizer values will likely begin to price-in the change in trade policy starting Monday.
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. The announcement should provide importers and distributors with some certainty headed into next spring after months of being kept on edge by shifting US trade policy.
