WASHINGTON, April 22 - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Wednesday that the Department of Agriculture is holding daily discussions with the White House and other agencies to address elevated fertilizer prices, and that the department will unveil actions on the matter soon.
Rollins told the agriculture subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee that the daily calls include officials from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. She added that she is also in contact with the heads of major fertilizer companies as part of the effort.
The secretary attributed recent upward pressure on fertilizer costs to the Iran war, noting that more than 30% of global fertilizer exports were affected when Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
"Obviously, the short-term issues are acute and really require significant effort as we work to bring those prices down," Rollins said.
Rollins said the department will announce a package of measures that will include both short- and long-term strategies aimed at reducing fertilizer prices. Beyond the pledge of forthcoming announcements, she provided no additional specifics to the subcommittee at that time.
The discussions described by Rollins span federal agencies and private industry stakeholders, reflecting the administration's multi-channel approach to the issue. The combination of daily interagency coordination and engagement with company leaders is intended to address immediate price pressures while laying groundwork for longer-term responses.
Summary of the situation
- The Department of Agriculture is in daily contact with the White House, EPA and DHS about high fertilizer prices.
- Secretary Rollins is speaking with heads of major fertilizer companies as part of the response.
- Higher prices followed disruptions linked to the Iran war and a near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz that impacted more than 30% of global fertilizer exports.