In the United States and across the world, phosphate-based crop nutrients are not a luxury but a necessity. They play an essential role in enhancing agricultural productivity and helping feed a growing population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050.
The Phosphate Innovation Initiative has always advocated for a secure, domestic supply of phosphate, crucial for feeding both America and the world. But what happens if this supply is disrupted?
In Montana, it’s not a rhetorical question.
The Treasure State declared an emergency over fertilizer supply in April to help meet demand for fertilizer delivery. International sanctions, shipping delays due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and severe weather all contributed to the slowdown in the delivery of crop nutrients to Montana’s farmers.
This disruption threatened farmers' ability to provide essential phosphate products to their fields in time for planting and crop emergence. According to the Montana Governor’s Executive Order, the disruption could have had up to a $400 million impact on the state’s $1.6 billion crop harvest.
The emergency in Montana highlights the critical importance of phosphate products in maintaining a reliable food supply for American families. Thanks to Florida, which supplies more than half of the domestically sourced phosphate-based fertilizer used by farmers nationwide, American farmers have access to high-quality, economical phosphate products that help feed our families.
