Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen (Steven) Vaden said two companies have been working together to control the price of fertilizer in the U.S. by limiting supplies.
Agri-Pulse said Vaden’s collusion accusation against Mosaic and Nutrien could suggest the administration may take future steps to inject more competition into the markets, if it becomes necessary.
During a webinar hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center, Vaden said, “This administration is going to do everything it can to ensure that farmers have the fertilizer they’ll need and at a price they can pay. We’re not going to permit these companies to do anything that might undermine that.”
He also said Nutrien and Mosaic were responsible for over 90 percent of phosphate fertilizer and potash production in North America during 2024.
Farm Action, an ag industry accountability group, said only seven companies control 70 percent of crop input sales, including Nutrien Ag Solutions, the retail business of Nutrien.