USDA Announces $1.3 Billion in Fertilizer Manufacturing Projects

The USDA is investing in eight fertilizer manufacturing projects aimed at increasing domestic production and improving competition for farmers. Vice President J.D. Vance and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the selections through USDA’s FIELDS program. The projects represent more than $1.34 billion in proposed investment, including approximately $573 million in proposed USDA funding. USDA says the projects could increase domestic fertilizer supplies and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The department estimates additional production could lower nitrogen fertilizer prices by 4.4 percent and potash prices by 5.3 percent once the projects are operational. The investments are expected to support about 1.08 million tons of annual fertilizer production capacity across nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur products. Vance says the investments will help American farmers access fertilizer made in the United States at lower costs. It’s also intended to expand competition in an industry where a small number of companies control much of North America’s fertilizer production capacity.