Tariff Exemptions Shift Fertilizer Outlook for Producers

Urea and phosphate see the biggest price relief from tariff exemptions, but nitrogen markets remain tight, and spring demand will still dictate pricing momentum.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — The fertilizer market saw a meaningful shift this week after the Trump Administration confirmed that major fertilizers will be exempt from tariff rates — a development that immediately pressured urea values and opened the door for more normal trade flows.

According to Josh Linville of StoneX, NOLA urea dropped 6–8% on the announcement, easing one of the most significant pain points heading into spring. Some key suppliers had been facing tariffs of 30% or more, and removing those hurdles allows the U.S. to resume sourcing urea more efficiently. Linville cautions, however, that this is not a “silver bullet,” as urea still needs to trade at a level that discourages imports without incentivizing exports.

Other nitrogen markets reacted more quietly. UAN prices were steady due to limited activity and ongoing tight supply-and-demand fundamentals, and NH3 showed little movement given that the U.S. manufactures most of its own ammonia.

Phosphate saw the next-largest benefit: removing tariffs should reopen flows from Saudi Arabia, offering relief for spring, even as Russia, Morocco, and China still face other economic hurdles. Potash, sourced mainly from Canada, remains largely unaffected.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Urea and phosphate see the biggest price relief from tariff exemptions, but nitrogen markets remain tight, and spring demand will still dictate pricing momentum.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
Related Stories
The decline in production marks the second consecutive year of contraction in the U.S. turkey industry.
The USDA noted that peanut edible utilization season-to-date is down 3% on the year, despite overall stocks increasing.
North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) President Mark Watne joined us Monday to share his perspective on the America First Trade Promotion Program and potential implications for producers.
A booming butterfat market is good for some dairy products but threatens efficiency and margins for cheesemakers unless protein levels catch up
Duane Simpson, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), joined us in Monday’s Market Day Report to share his perspective on the USDA’s plan and potential impact on producers.
Smaller flocks and lower lay rates are pressuring table egg supplies, even as hatchery activity edges higher.
Smaller slaughter numbers across beef and pork signal tighter supplies into late 2025, while record-low veal production highlights ongoing structural changes in the sector.
Potash has seen the most significant decline, falling 11 percent over the same five-year period.
Lower inventories and cautious farrowing plans suggest tighter hog supplies into 2026, keeping producer margins sensitive to demand trends and health risks.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller warns horse owners after EHV-1 cases linked to the Waco WPRA Finals. Horses linked to recent Waco events should be isolated and closely monitored, as early action is critical to stopping the spread of EHV-1.
One trader said the products entering the U.S. are primarily grind and trim, noting that the volume and type of beef, on its own, should not cause a major disruption. However, he says fund traders are reacting heavily to headlines rather than market realities.
Farmers with unpaid Hansen-Mueller grain should verify delivery records immediately and file indemnity claims quickly, as coverage rules differ sharply by state.
Olivia Bury, AgriSafe Network Behavioral Health Coordinator, shares about AgriSafe Network’s resources created to support farmers and rural Americans.
Jael Cruikshank, the newly elected Western Region Vice President, shares her story on this week’s FFA Today.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen reviews the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and outlines how shifting definitions across multiple administrations have created regulatory confusion for landowners.