As the nation marks National Farmers Day and Global Fertilizer Day, industry leaders are spotlighting a stark reality: American agriculture is caught between historic economic strain and geopolitical shocks that threaten the very inputs farmers depend on. Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, argues that the path forward lies in bolstering domestic fertilizer production and ensuring global market stability.
US crop producers operated at negative profit margins throughout 2025, according to the latest Department of Agriculture data, and face similar headwinds in 2026. Elevated interest rates, land rents, and input costs have collided with three consecutive years of declining commodity receipts, leaving many farm operations in a precarious position. The economic squeeze is not just a farm problem—it ripples through the entire agricultural supply chain, including fertilizer manufacturers who rely on profitable farmers to sustain demand.
The conflict in the Middle East has exposed critical vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly for fertilizer inputs. Damage to production facilities and transportation bottlenecks have curbed exports from countries that depend on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global trade. Nearly 50% of global sulfur exports—a key fertilizer component and phosphate input—move through that waterway. Additionally, between 30% and 50% of globally traded nitrogen fertilizer is currently unable to reach its intended destinations, directly affecting American farmers who compete in a global market.
Rosenbusch emphasizes that the fertilizer industry is deeply committed to supporting farmers, pointing to billions of dollars in announced investments in new US production facilities. These expansions are designed to mitigate agriculture's exposure to geopolitical disruptions. He also praises the Trump administration's focus on boosting domestic manufacturing as the right policy direction, though he stresses that this is not a partisan issue—both Republicans and Democrats depend on American agriculture.
The stakes are high. Fertilizer is one of a farmer's most critical tools for promoting plant growth, improving yields, and ensuring profitability. When its supply is threatened, the ripple effects are felt in every corner of rural America. Despite the challenges, the industry argues that a resilient and growing US fertilizer sector is vital to support farmers and safeguard food security.
However, the market remains deeply globalized. More than 100 fertilizer producers serve US farmers worldwide, and the US is one of only three nations with at least 20 unique domestic producers. Yet 90% of fertilizer consumption occurs outside the United States, and the heavy involvement of state-owned enterprises on the international stage complicates the picture. Demand shocks in Asia or supply disruptions in the Middle East can directly affect American farmers, as seen in recent months.
Rosenbusch calls for strategic resilience, arguing that American agriculture should not absorb the full shock of geopolitical disruptions. He urges policymakers to recognize the interconnection between fertilizer, food security, and agricultural resilience, and to craft policies that encourage market expansion for US farm products while creating conditions for continued investment in domestic fertilizer production.
The path forward, he says, requires sound public policy and collaboration across the supply chain—farmers, retailers, policymakers, and individual companies each have essential roles. By fostering an environment where domestic production can grow and global markets remain open, the United States can build a more resilient agricultural foundation for the future.
