Grassley, Marshall Introduce Legislation to Eliminate Biden Phosphate Duties, Cut Fertilizer Costs for Farmers

Grassley, Marshall Introduce Legislation to Eliminate Biden Phosphate Duties, Cut Fertilizer Costs for Farmers

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing the Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act to lower the cost of fertilizer for family farmers. The bill would eliminate tariffs and countervailing duties (CVDs) on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco, providing direct relief to farmers facing rising input costs.

"During my annual 99 county meetings, I hear from family farmers struggling with high input costs impacting their bottom lines. The Biden phosphate duties are making things worse, boxing out access to an important market for this essential input. By eliminating the Biden administration's misguided duties, our bill will help provide relief to farmers and lower the cost of production," Grassley said.

"Kansas farmers are getting hit by a fertilizer market that's working against them. Phosphate is a critical nutrient for crop production, and right now farmers are paying prices that threaten their bottom line. This bill removes duties that are driving up costs for farmers and puts money back in the hands of the people feeding this country," Marshall said.

"There is no substitute for the invaluable work our farmers do to feed and fuel the world. From securing the addition of phosphate and potash to the U.S. Critical Minerals List to pushing for research on the fertilizer market, I've consistently put Iowa farmers first. By joining Senator Marshall's Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act, I'm proud to once again stand up for our agriculture community to drive down fertilizer costs and make life more affordable for both farmers and consumers," Ernst said.

"Mississippi farmers depend on affordable fertilizer to stay competitive. With input costs continuing to strain farmers bottom line, Congress must act. The Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act delivers targeted, practical relief at the farm gate, and Congress should act soon to deliver relief at a time when its badly needed. American producers have been asking for solutions, and this commonsense legislation will provide greater certainty for our farmers," Hyde-Smith said.

Specifically, the legislation would:

1. Eliminate tariffs on phosphate fertilizer and related products from Morocco.
2. End the Biden administration's April 7, 2021, countervailing duty order on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco to restore access to competitively priced phosphate fertilizer for U.S. producers.

The full text of the legislation is available HERE.

This legislation is supported by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cotton Council, USA Rice, Sorghum Growers and the National Association of Wheat Growers.

Background:

In March, Grassley and Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D) introduced the Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026 to provide producers with timely and accurate information on prices for fertilizer and fertilizer products.

Last October, Grassley chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing aimed at uncovering the drivers of soaring input costs and identifying meaningful steps to restore competition.

In September, Grassley, Ernst and a bipartisan group of colleagues sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urging the agency to add phosphate to the U.S. Critical Minerals List, to help lower input prices and safeguard U.S. food security. The Interior Department added phosphate to the list weeks later.

Grassley also reintroduced his bipartisan Fertilizer Research Act this Congress to increase transparency on market factors driving the high cost of fertilizer. It would require the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study on fertilizer market competition and trends and identify their subsequent impacts on price.

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