December 20, 2021 - WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has sent a letter to Attorney General Garland calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate concerns raised by American farmers about possible anti-competitive activity and market manipulation in the fertilizer industry.

 

“Fertilizer is an essential input for farmers across the country. Without fertilizer, crop yields and agricultural productivity would be significantly reduced. I have heard numerous concerns from Iowans and member organizations expressing concerns that fertilizer companies are colluding and unfairly raising the price of their products,” Grassley wrote.

 

In an industry with limited participants, fertilizer companies have the means available to manipulate the price farmers pay. The industry has seen dramatic growth with the price of nitrogen fertilizer doubling, anhydrous rising by 131 percent, urea by 110 percent and potash up 120 percent.

 

“The DOJ should initiate an investigation of the fertilizer market so that farmers across the country can have assurances that there are no violations of U.S. antitrust law in the fertilizer industry,” the letter continued.

 

“Fertilizer tariffs are placing an incredible financial burden on American farmers. There is no reason that corporations like Mosaic Co. and CF Industries should be using the government to expand their monopolies at the expense of farmers. That’s why we were so grateful that Sen. Grassley met with us, listened to our story and then took immediate action,” Chris Edgington, National Corn Growers Association President, said.

 

Grassley has been a strong advocate for family farmers and the impact felt with continued consolidation within various sectors of agriculture. Grassley has used his position both on the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Agriculture Committee to shine a light on anticompetitive industry actions and ensure family farmers have a voice in Washington D.C.