ARA Leads Letter to President Trump Expressing Concern Over Fertilizer Supply Chain Disruptions

ARLINGTON, Va.-- The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) today led a letter, along with 24 state agribusiness associations, to President Donald Trump expressing concern regarding fertilizer supply disruptions and the potential for broader impacts on agricultural production and rural economies.

“Agricultural retailers employ thousands of workers across rural America and provide the essential link between manufacturers, global supply chains, and family farms. Every day, these businesses ensure that farmers have access to the fertilizer, crop protection products, seed, and agronomic services necessary to grow the crops that feed and fuel our nation. Today, retailers are experiencing the front-line impacts of geopolitical disruptions affecting fertilizer, fuel, and transportation markets,” the letter reads.

“Agricultural retailers in multiple regions are already reporting delayed spring fertilizer deliveries and growing allocation pressure as product arrival dates shift and transportation capacity tightens. Retailers are forced to make difficult decisions about rationing limited supplies among customers, revising nutrient plans on short notice, and absorbing increased financial and logistical risk—all while farmers face uncertainty during narrow application windows that cannot be recovered later in the season,” the coalition continued.

The group proposed both immediate short-term actions and long-term supply chain solutions that the Administration can take to alleviate global and domestic disruptions. They also highlighted the impact these disruptions can have on rural American economies.

“These disruptions do not stop at the farm gate. When fertilizer shipments are delayed or prices spike, the consequences ripple through rural communities- affecting local jobs, tax bases, lending institutions, equipment dealers, and service providers. Agricultural retailers are often among the largest private employers in their communities, and prolonged supply disruptions threaten not only farm productivity, but also the economic stability of rural towns across the country,” the group emphasized.  

Additional cosigners of this letter included the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, Agribusiness Council of Indiana, Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, Kansas Grain and Feed Association, AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Minnesota Crop Production Retailers, Mississippi Agricultural Industry Council, Montana Agricultural Business Association, Nebraska Agri-Business Association, North Carolina Agribusiness Council, North Dakota Agricultural Association, Ohio Agribusiness Association, Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association, Oregonians for Food & Shelter, Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association, South Dakota Agri-Business Association, Southern Crop Production Association, Wisconsin Agri-Business Association, Wyoming Ag Business Association, and the Virginia Agribusiness Council.

Read the full text of the letter here.