Washington, D.C.— Today, Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) sent a letter to President Biden urging action on rising fertilizer prices. The letter was co-led by Representatives Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06), Greg Murphy (NC-03) and Jodey Arrington (TX-19).
“Last month, fertilizer reached the highest price ever recorded, and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, these prices are only going to get worse. I hear from farmers across my district all the time they cannot afford today’s prices,” said Fischbach. “Our farmers need President Biden to review all available options to lower the cost of fertilizer, and I am proud to be a co-author of this letter urging exactly that.”
Emmer said, “Skyrocketing and unprecedented input prices are robbing our farmers of their livelihoods, and even today’s high commodity prices simply can’t keep pace. President Biden owes it to our ag community to ensure fertilizer is accessible and affordable.”
“Due to supply-chain issues and rising energy costs, fertilizer prices are at a record-high, placing a huge burden on American farmers as planting season approaches. I’m proud to join my colleagues in demanding the Biden Administration take action to lower fertilizer costs to relieve pressure on our farmers, including increasing domestic natural gas production to lower energy prices,” said Stauber.
“Soaring prices are hurting families and businesses across the country, and our farmers are no exception,” said Murphy. “Producers across my agriculture-heavy district tell me that the skyrocketing price of fertilizer puts their operations at risk, and increases the cost of goods and services for every input in the supply chain. We urge the Administration to take every action necessary to lower the cost of fertilizer and provide relief to our outstanding agriculture industry that works so hard to feed, clothe, and fuel our nation.”
“Fertilizer prices have risen 40% in just one month and are up 300% since this time last year. Between surging input costs, the highest inflation in 40 years, and unending regulatory whiplash, President Biden is failing our agriculture producers, accelerating a looming global food crisis, and jeopardizing our own food security and independence,” said Arrington. “President Biden and his Administration must increase production of fertilizer inputs, including natural gas, and allow USDA to use their existing authority to equip our producers with the tools they need to provide an abundant and affordable food supply to the world.”
The letter was co-signed by Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Rick Allen (GA-12), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Jim Banks (IN-03), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Mike Bost (IL-12), Ted Budd (NC-13), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Ben Cline (VA-06), Tom Cole (OK-04), John Curtis (UT-03), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Louis Gohmert (TX-01), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Christopher Jacobs (NY-27), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), John Katko (NY-24), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Bob Latta (OH-05), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Lisa McClain (MI-10), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Peter Meijer (MI-03), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Mary Miller (IL-15), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), John Moolenaar (MI-04), Barry Moore (AL-02), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Greg Pence (IN-06), Bill Posey (FL-08), Tom Rice (SC-07), John Rose (TN-06), Matt Rosendale (MT-AL), David Rouzer (NC-07), Austin Scott (GA-08), Mike Simpson (ID-02), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Bryan Steil (WI-01), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), William Timmons (SC-04), Fred Upton (MI-06), David Valadao (CA-21), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Robert Wittman (VA-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Jody Hice (GA-10), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Bill Johnson (OH-06), David Joyce (OH-14), John Joyce (PA-13), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Julia Letlow (LA-05) Jim Baird (IN-04), Michael Guest (MS-03) and Vicky Hartzler (MO-04).
Background:
Fertilizer prices rose significantly through March of this year. Diammonium phosphate (DAP), the world’s most commonly used fertilizer, reached its highest price on record last week, up 16% from the previous month. The price of urea rose 10% in the same period.
Prices have been further impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with sanctions bringing Russian fertilizer imports to a standstill. Russia is consistently among the world’s leading exporters of fertilizer, with a trade volume of nearly $9 billion annually.
You can read the letter in its entirety here.
