Casablanca – The United States is preparing to review tariffs and countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco, potentially ending restrictions that have been in place since 2021. The move could significantly reduce agricultural input costs for American farmers, analysts say, as Morocco remains a major global supplier of phosphate fertilizers.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to launch the review in March, targeting anti-dumping and countervailing duties (CVD) imposed on specific imports from Morocco and Russia. These duties were originally introduced following a complaint by the U.S. fertilizer company Mosaic, which argued that phosphate imports from these countries caused serious harm to domestic producers.

In February 2021, the Commerce Department finalized its investigations, setting tariffs at 19.97% on Moroccan phosphate imports from OCP Group, 47.05% on Russia’s Phosphorite Industrial Group, 9.19% on Russian company Apatit, and 17.2% on exports from other Russian producers. The measures were intended to protect U.S. producers, but they also had unintended consequences on the domestic fertilizer market.

By September 2024, Mosaic withdrew its request for a review of tariffs on Moroccan phosphate, while maintaining its request for Russian imports. Analysts and policymakers noted that the absence of Moroccan and Russian phosphate products in the U.S. market contributed to rising fertilizer prices. The disruption led to criticism from several lawmakers concerned about the financial burden on American farmers.

A senior lawmaker emphasized during a Senate session in October 2025 that “removing the countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate would immediately reduce input costs for American farmers.” The comment reflects growing awareness in Congress of the broader economic impact of tariffs on agricultural supply chains.

A recent study by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University quantified the impact of U.S. countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizers. According to the report, reviewed by multiple media outlets, these duties significantly increased the cost of fertilizers, imposing additional financial burdens on American farmers over several growing seasons. Diammonium phosphate (DAP), one of the most widely used phosphorus fertilizers in the U.S., saw prices rise by approximately 30% due to reduced supply.

AFPC estimates indicate that the tariffs added around $6.9 billion in costs for U.S. fertilizer producers between 2021 and 2025. The study highlighted that the most significant annual financial impacts occurred during the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 marketing seasons. Researchers emphasized that these costs were compounded by the U.S. domestic phosphate market’s long-term decline in production, leaving the country increasingly reliant on imports.

Before the imposition of duties, Morocco supplied a substantial portion of U.S. phosphate imports, while domestic production was highly concentrated, with a single company producing approximately three-quarters of the total U.S. output. The study noted that while Peru has partially replaced Moroccan supplies in recent years, heavy dependence on a single foreign supplier introduces risks and does not fully offset the price effects caused by restricting trade with a major global producer.

The potential review comes at a time of broader international trade adjustments in the fertilizer industry. Rising fertilizer prices have been a global concern, with supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and production fluctuations contributing to volatility. For U.S. farmers, phosphate fertilizers are a critical input for crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans, making any cost reductions from tariff relief particularly impactful.

Experts argue that lifting or adjusting the duties on Moroccan phosphate could have multiple benefits: easing financial pressure on farmers, stabilizing domestic fertilizer markets, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness in agriculture. Lawmakers and industry representatives have also highlighted the strategic importance of diversifying sources of phosphate imports while maintaining fair trade practices.

While no final decision has yet been announced, the upcoming review underscores the ongoing dialogue between U.S. policymakers, domestic industry stakeholders, and international suppliers. Analysts suggest that a positive outcome for Moroccan phosphate could pave the way for more balanced trade relationships and improved agricultural input affordability in the United States.