Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is urging federal officials to investigate whether major fertilizer companies are unfairly raising prices for American farmers following disruptions tied to the conflict involving Iran.
In letters sent last week, Hawley asked several of the world’s largest fertilizer producers to explain recent price increases and called on the Justice Department to examine whether companies are engaging in price gouging or coordinating market behavior. The Missouri Republican also wrote separately to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting a formal antitrust investigation.
The letters were sent to the chief executives of CF Industries, The Mosaic Company, Koch Fertilizer, Nutrien and Yara International, companies that collectively represent a significant share of global fertilizer production.
Hawley acknowledged that tensions in the Middle East have created some disruption in global fertilizer markets, particularly because of shipping bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for energy and agricultural inputs. But he argued the recent price increases faced by U.S. farmers appear to exceed what those disruptions alone would justify.
“Recent disruptions to the global fertilizer market due to the Iranian conflict overseas, including bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz, have occurred,” Hawley wrote. “But the price run-ups American farmers are facing far outpace any disruption from recent events.”
The senator also raised concerns about the structure of the fertilizer industry, which he said is dominated by a relatively small number of firms producing the key nutrients used in crop production — nitrogen, phosphate and potash.
“Public reporting indicates that a small group of firms dominates the domestic market,” Hawley wrote. He added that there have been reports that the Justice Department has already examined whether major producers coordinated to raise prices.
In his letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Hawley urged the department to expand those efforts and formally investigate whether companies are using the international crisis to justify unjustified price increases or to restrict supply.
“I write to urge the Department of Justice to formally investigate potential anticompetitive conduct and price gouging in the U.S. fertilizer market in the wake of the ongoing Iran crisis,” Hawley wrote, noting that farmers are facing sudden spikes in fertilizer costs during a critical period in the growing season.
Fertilizer prices play a significant role in farm profitability because they are among the largest input costs for crop producers. Price volatility has been a recurring issue in recent years as supply chains and global commodity markets have been disrupted by geopolitical events.
Hawley warned that Congress could pursue further action if evidence emerges that companies exploited the situation.
“American farmers should not be forced to bankroll opportunistic pricing under cover of an overseas crisis,” he wrote. “If firms are using this moment to pad margins at the expense of producers who feed this country, the Department should act swiftly.”
CLICK HERE to read Senator Hawley’s full letter to the fertilizer companies.
CLICK HERE to read Senator Hawley’s full letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Sure looks to me like the giant fertilizer companies are price gouging farmers. Which drives farmers out of business and the price of food way up. Somebody needs to explain to them price gouging is illegal. So either stop or be investigated
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— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) March 12, 2026
