Davids Introduces Bipartisan Price Transparency Bill as Iran War Drives Up Fertilizer Costs
High fertilizer prices “could lead to people everywhere paying more for food”
Recently, Representative Sharice Davids helped introduce the bipartisanFertilizer Transparency Act to increase transparency in fertilizer markets and provide farmers with better information on the price of crop inputs. The ongoing war in Iran is driving up energy and fertilizer costs, putting the livelihoods of farmers in jeopardy and making groceries more expensive. This legislation will help ensure farmers have the timely, reliable information they need to plan ahead and stay competitive.
“Farmers are already dealing with enough uncertainty — from weather to reckless tariffs and global markets — and they shouldn’t be left in the dark about the cost of the fertilizer they rely on,” said Davids. “With rising fertilizer prices driven by global conflict and supply disruptions, it’s more important than ever that producers have clear, up-to-date information. This bipartisan bill is about giving our farmers the transparency they need to make informed decisions and lower grocery costs.”
The energy-rich Middle East plays a central role in global fertilizer production. As the war in Iran disrupts shipping routes, fertilizer shipments are backing up near the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint through which nearly a third of the world’s fertilizer supply passes. At the same time, rising natural gas prices, a key input in fertilizer production, are increasing manufacturing costs. Ongoing supply chain uncertainty and export disruptions are adding further strain, raising costs for farmers and potentially driving up food prices for consumers.
The bill would require the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a mandatory reporting program for fertilizer prices and quantities sold in the United States. The data would be published weekly to give farmers clearer insight into fertilizer markets. Currently, USDA publishes the data annually on a voluntary basis.
The Fertilizer Transparency Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Angie Craig (D-MN), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Josh Riley (D-NY), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Eric Sorensen (D-IL). U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) introduced this legislation in the Senate.