U.S. drops tariffs on Moroccan phosphate

WINNIPEG – The U.S. is now permitting tariff-free imports of phosphate from Morocco, which should reduce fertilizer prices for Canadian farmers.

Late in the day June 29, President Donald Trump declared an emergency and permitted the “duty free importation” of Moroccan phosphate fertilizer.

The U.S. National Corn Growers Association praised the decision, saying they were “thrilled” by the announcement.

“This is such welcome news for corn farmers,” said NCGA president Jed Bower, a grower from Ohio. “Fertilizer represents one of the biggest expenses for farms every year, only made worse in recent years by actions of companies looking to further consolidate their control of the market.”

Why it Matters: Removal of America duties on Moroccan phosphate should reduce fertilizer prices for Canadian growers.

Trump’s emergency authorization allows for an eight-month suspension of duties, or until the emergency is terminated, Investing.com reported.

“The suspension removes duties of up to 16.8 percent that were originally implemented in 2021.”

America introduced countervailing duties on phosphate from Morocco and Russia, following pressure from Mosaic Co., which filed petitions against the import of phosphate fertilizer from those countries.

Analysis from Texas A&M University has shown that the duties on Morocco increased the price of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) by 28.6 per cent.

U.S. farmers had paid an additional US $6.9 billion for phosphate fertilizer, from 2021 to 2025, because of the duties on Moroccan product, says the Texas A&M study.

This spring, American farm groups grew weary of the high prices and pressured the government to eliminate the duties.

In a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the National Corn Growers, American Soybean Association and dozens of state groups said the tariffs were affecting planting decisions and the livelihoods of farm families.

“These CVDs have placed additional strain on farmers already navigating volatile commodity markets, weather uncertainty, and rising expenses across nearly every category of farm operations,” the letter said. “For many growers, fertilizer represented 40 percent of operating costs in 2025.”

The American duties on Morocco had a similar impact on Canadian farmers, who rely on U.S. imports as their main source of phosphate fertilizer.

Prices of Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) have remained persistently high in Canada, with prices continuing to climb in 2026.

MAP was selling for $1,255 per tonne in March of 2026 and $1,307 in April, says crop input estimates Alberta Agriculture.

In the emergency declaration, Trump noted that America doesn’t produce sufficient phosphate fertilizer to support American farmers (after accounting for exports).

The government is working with industry to expand production, but that will take time, the declaration says.

Therefore, phosphate supplies from Morocco are needed to fill the gap.

“Today’s announcement will bring immediate relief to producers who rely on these critical inputs with an estimated 22 percent reduction in phosphate fertilizer prices” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, in a statement.

“President Trump will always put farmers first, and he will continue to fight for those that feed, fuel, and clothe our nation.”