A new Texas A&M study details possible tariffs on nitrogen fertilizer imports could push historically high nitrogen prices even higher for farmers. The report was commissioned by 21 state corn organizations including South Dakota Corn. Utilization Council President Grant Rix says the International Trade Commission ruled that Russia and Trinidad and Tobago unfairly subsidize UAN imports after complaints by CF Industries. The ITC will make a final determination about invoking the 19-percent tariffs this summer. Their study showed the negative impact this could have.
He says the study also looked at other possible causes of higher nitrogen fertilizer and it shows a decoupling of nitrogen fertilizer and natural gas prices dating back to 2010.
Rix says they are concerned about the tariffs and the higher fertilizer prices as they’ve already had a big impact on his cost of production.
NCGA has asked CF Industries to refrain from pushing for these tariffs but has not been able to convince them to keep farmers out of the trade dispute. They are also reaching out to lawmakers.
