ITC rejects fertilizer duties

WASHINGTON — The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled on July 18 against imposing tariffs on nitrogen fertilizers imported from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago.

“This is important news for Illinois corn farmers who have faced fertilizer prices more than double this year and were fearful of further increases. Tariffs would have exacerbated what was already a massive problem for Illinois family farmers,” said Marty Marr, Jacksonville farmer and Illinois Corn Growers Association president.

“Illinois Corn has talked with our elected officials about fertilizer price increases and even led our members to contact CF Industries to share the impact of the price increases on their farms. Our national association, National Corn Growers Association, even testified at an ITC public hearing. We’ve worked hard to make our voices heard and it’s encouraging that ITC listened.”

Welcome Relief

“This comes as a welcome relief,” said NCGA President Chris Edgington. “We have been sounding the alarms and telling the ITC commissioners that tariffs will drive up input prices to even more unaffordable levels for farmers and cripple our supply. I am so glad they listened.”

The decision comes after CF Industries filed a petition with ITC in late 2021, requesting that the commission place tariffs on urea ammonium nitrate, which is used in liquid fertilizers. Shortages and prices have since increased exponentially.

NCGA has come out strongly against the tariffs. It was the only commodities group that testified at ITC’s public hearing.

ITC’s decision takes effect immediately.