President Trump Declares Food Supply Emergency and Suspends Fertilizer Tariffs

President Trump declared a food supply emergency and suspended tariffs on key fertilizer imports, Fox News reported. The declaration addresses rising costs for fertilizer inputs such as sulfur and ammonia. Russia produced 7.5 million metric tons of sulfur last year as the world’s third-largest producer, yet its ammonia exports have fallen roughly 80 percent below pre-war levels.

The Strait of Hormuz is effectively at a standstill, leaving about 16 million tons of fertilizer in limbo. Roughly half the world’s sulfur supply transits the strait. China, the world’s second-largest exporter of fertilizer, has restricted exports of fertilizer and raw inputs including sulfuric acid.

Many farmers had already purchased fertilizer ahead of the disruptions. Fox News reported that if the issues continue into next year’s planting season, Americans will feel the effects more sharply than this year.