WAGGAMAN, La. (RFD NEWS) — CHS and OCP North America are proposing a major phosphate fertilizer plant in Louisiana that could strengthen domestic supply and reduce U.S. dependence on imported crop nutrients. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden attended Wednesday’s announcement.
The facility would produce more than 1 million metric tons of phosphate fertilizer annually at Cornerstone Energy Park. CHS says it would be the first new U.S. phosphate fertilizer plant built since 1984.
The companies estimate the United States currently imports about 40% of the phosphate fertilizer farmers use. If completed, the project could reduce that import dependence by more than 48%, improving supply reliability for producers.
OCP Group would supply phosphoric acid, while finished fertilizer would move through CHS and OCP distribution networks. The project could involve up to $450 million in investment and would benefit from access to the Mississippi River.
The plant remains subject to approvals and funding. The partners have applied for potential USDA support through the Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply program.
