On Friday, August 7th, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) determined that it should conduct a countervailing duty investigation into Moroccan and Russian fertilizers on behalf of domestic fertilizer company Mosaic. Mosaic claims that imports of heavily subsidized phosphate fertilizer from Russia and Morocco are likely harming them as a domestic producer of fertilizer. The ITC is expected to complete its report in September. Earlier in August several U.S. Senators, including Senator Boozman, submitted a joint letter to the ITC urging them not to pursue the case against imports as it could result in reduced fertilizer supply, less competition in the marketplace, and higher fertilizer prices for American farmers. In addition, several agricultural organizations have weighed in with the ITC expressing similar concerns on behalf of farmers.
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