USDA’s Vaden Speaks Out on Nutrien, Mosaic Fertilizer Price Collusion

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden says two fertilizer companies have worked together to control fertilizer prices in the U.S. by limiting supply, raising concerns about competition and rising input costs for farmers.

During the recent webinar hosted by National Ag Law Center, Vaden emphasized the fertilizer market as major concern for the administration.

“The duopoly that is Mosaic and Nutrien and their successful efforts over the past several years to constrain fertilizer supply in this country and drive up the costs that farmers are paying,” Vaden states. “This administration is going to do everything it can to ensure that farmers have the fertilizer they need, at a price that they can pay, and a price it allows food to be purchased at the price the consumer can pay.”

Vaden revealed that the market concentration was significant, stating Nutrien and Mosaic accounted for more than 90 percent of phosphate fertilizer and potash production in North America during 2024.



Vaden mentioned that a new competition, BHP, will enter the mining sector for potash in Saskatchewan, Canada, with a $13 billion investment in a mine that should be operational by halfway through 2027, with exports coming into the U.S.

IL Corn will continue to monitor the situation and emphasize the voice of farmers as high input prices place significant pressure on farm profitability.