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ERS-USDA REPORTS USDA Fertilizer Import Report Nitrogen • Potash • Phosphate The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) reports on U.S. fertilizer imports and ex- ports. This report provides U.S. annual data on imports and exports of selected fertilizer types. The data cover imports from 1995 to 2009 and exports from 1990 to 2009 for 26 major fertil- izer products and materials, and for 82 major trading countries. The report indicates that U.S. nitrogen and potash supplies are largely dependent on im- ports. More than 57 percent of nitrogen and 86 percent of potash supply in the U.S. in 2008 was from imports. U.S. nitrogen and potash supplies largely de- pend on imports. More than 57 percent of nitro- gen and 86 percent of potash was from imports in 2008. Because domestic production capacity is limited, any increase in fertilizer demand will have to be met largely by imports. Fertilizer nu- trients imported from July to December of 2009 are expected to be used for 2010 crops. The U.S. imported 8.07, 0.12 and 3.15 million tons of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash, respectively, in 2009. For 2009, imports declined 24, 61 and 57 percent, respectively, from 2008 imports. Meanwhile, the U.S. exported 1.94, 4.44 and 0.10 million tons of nitrogen, phosphate and potash, respectively, in 2009. Nitrogen, phosphate and potash exports increased 12, 2 and 95 percent, respectively, compared with 2008 exports. From July to December of 2009, imports of nitrogen totaled 3.90 million tons, down 18 percent (0.86 million tons) from July-December 2008 totals. Meanwhile, U.S. nitrogen exports increased 5 percent, to 0.93 million tons, com- pared with the same time period in 2008. As a result, net nitrogen imports in July-December were down over 0.75 million tons from 2008. From July to December of 2009, U.S. potash imports totaled 1.81 million tons, down 40 percent (1.21 million tons) from July-December 2008. U.S. potash exports, at 168,288 tons, up 194 percent, were nearly twice the level for the the same period in 2008. As a result, net potash imports in July-December fell over 1.30 million tons from 2008. From July to December of 2009, exports of U.S. phosphate totaled 2.19 million tons, which is 4 percent below exports for the same time period in 2008. Meanwhile, U.S. phosphate imports were 69,936 tons, which is 53 percent less than July-December 2008 imports. As a result, net phosphate exports in July-December decreased 12,565 tons from 2008. The decrease in net imports of nitrogen and potash, and in net exports of phosphate, reflect weak demand worldwide for plant nutrients in 2009 due to the widespread recession. n www.SugarProducer.com 21