March 11, 2021
News Release 21-033
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Phosphate Fertilizers from Morocco and Russia Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized by the governments of those countries.

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.  Commissioner David S. Johanson voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia.

The Commission’s public report Phosphate Fertilizers from Morocco and Russia (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-650-651 (Final), USITC Publication 5172, March 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by April 13, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Phosphate Fertilizers from Morocco and Russia
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-650-651 (Final)

Product Description:  Phosphate fertilizers contain essential phosphorus (P) plant nutrient applied annually to some 300 million acres of U.S. cropland. The product is sourced from phosphate ores mined and chemically upgraded to plant available fertilizer compounds. Phosphate fertilizers may contain phosphorus nutrient alone or be combined chemically or physically in solid or liquid forms with the other essential fertilizer nutrients, nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). Diammonium phosphate (DAP), and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) are popular high analysis NP granular multinutrient phosphate fertilizers containing 11 to 18 percent N, and 46 to 52 percent plant available phosphate (P2O5), each used for direct application or in NPK bulk blends. Value-added NP specialty products contain sulfur (S) soil amendments (NPS), and NPS-Zinc with micro or secondary nutrients. Other products having more limited use include single nutrient triple superphosphate (TSP), and single superphosphate (SSP), as well as nitrophosphate products. Excluded are liquid ammonium polyphosphate fertilizers, liquid phosphoric acid product, and non-fertilizer phosphates.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioner:  The Mosaic Company, Plymouth, MN.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Friday, June 26, 2020.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Tuesday, February 09, 2021.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Thursday, March 11, 2021.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Tuesday, March 30, 2021.

U.S. Industry in 2019:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  3.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Wyoming
3.   Production and related workers:  [1]
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  1
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  1
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  1

U.S. Imports in 2019:

1.   Subject imports:  $835 million.
2.   Nonsubject imports:  $148 million.
3.   Leading import sources:  Morocco, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

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