ARLINGTON, Va. – A bipartisan coalition of U.S. agricultural groups and lawmakers in both chambers of Congress is urging U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to add the fertilizers phosphate and potash to the U.S. Geological Survey’s list of critical minerals.

The April 3 letter, led by U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Reps. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), included 41 members of Congress.

“The majority of the world’s phosphate and potash resources are concentrated in only a few countries, leaving them open to supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical instability,” said Corey Rosenbusch, The Fertilizer Institute president and CEO. “The events of the past few years have shown us that food security is national security and now is the time to change how we talk about these vital resources.

“Without these two minerals, modern agricultural systems would crumble and the ability to feed our growing population would be nearly impossible,” he added. “It is vital that we take proactive steps to secure our own agricultural future by recognizing the role these minerals play in putting food on our tables.”

Currently, the United States imports roughly 98 percent of its potash needs, the bulk of which – about 85 percent – comes from Canada, according to the TFI. Only 14 countries in the world produce potash, with China, Belarus and Russia accounting for over 40 percent of global production. Regarding phosphate, China and Russia account for over 50 percent of global production.

Ryan Droulette, Iowa State University farm management specialist, told Farm World, “Phosphorus imported to the U.S. accounts for 6-16 percent of consumption. Maybe not as critical as potash except that most of those imports have come from Peru and Morocco.

“By adding phosphate and potash to the critical minerals list, it would help streamline the process for expanding mining production in the U.S.,” he said. “It would help emphasize the need to develop a more resilient source of minerals that are domestically sourced, which would mitigate the risk of global shortages and geopolitical conflicts.

“With a more secure, stable source of potash and phosphorus, the U.S. farmer would hope to see a more stable price from year to year,” he added. “Of course, domestic production would have to compete with established global supply chains for price, which is not the easiest to do when prices are low.”

In the April 3 letter, the lawmakers said, “The United States must address the growing risks to this supply chain, including a return to domestic production of potash as quickly as possible. The importance of potash to the nation’s economic and national security was recognized in 2018 when the U.S. Department of the Interior included potash on its list of 35 critical minerals.

“However, under the previous administration, the 2022 update removed potash from the list – a decision that clearly warrants reconsideration,” the lawmakers said, adding that President Donald Trump recently reversed this decision, adding potash back to the list in his March 20 executive order.

Under the law defining critical minerals, the lawmakers said three criteria must be met: 1) a mineral must be essential to the economic or national security of the U.S.; 2) its supply chain must be vulnerable to disruption; and 3) the mineral must serve an essential function in the manufacturing of a product.

“Both potash and phosphate fulfill these criteria, and their significance for U.S. national security, food security, and American farmers is especially critical, particularly given recent global events that have affected fertilizer markets and highlighted the risks of disruptions,” the letter said.

The letter added, “At the very heart of this issue are the American farmers who work tirelessly to feed Americans and much of the world. Fertilizers containing potash and phosphate are essential to maintaining soil fertility, improving crop yields, and ensuring consistent food production.

“Without access to a stable and affordable supply of these minerals, farmers face higher costs, reduced yields, and increased uncertainty – challenges that threaten their livelihoods and the food security of millions of American families,” the letter said.

“In closing, we again ask you to take a decisive step toward securing our future by adding potash and phosphate to the U.S. Critical Minerals List,” the letter said. “Doing so will send a powerful message that the United States is serious about safeguarding the nation’s food supply.”

Roger Cryan, American Farm Bureau Federation chief economist, agreed, telling Farm World, “America’s food security is a matter of national security. Minerals like potash and phosphate are critical tools farmers use to grow the food and fiber America’s families rely on. The (Trump) administration recognized the importance of potash fertilizer by exempting it from reciprocal tariffs.

“We appreciate lawmakers for coming together in a bipartisan manner to elevate this important issue further,” he said. “Farm Bureau supports the inclusion of potash and phosphate on the U.S. Critical Minerals list to ensure farmers continue to have access to the fertilizer they need to keep America’s food supply strong.”