By: NATHAN STUEDLE
A sharp increase in sulfur prices is raising concerns about U.S. phosphate fertilizer production and potentially higher costs for farmers. Eight members of Florida's congressional delegation are asking the Trump administration to take additional action to address the shortage. According to Congressman Scott Franklin's office, sulfur delivered into Tampa previously averaged around 172 dollars per long ton. Since May, prices have climbed above 11-hundred dollars per metric ton. Sulfur is a critical ingredient in the production of phosphate fertilizer.
Global supply has tightened because of geopolitical and shipping disruptions, and lawmakers say some domestic phosphate producers have already reduced operating rates or idled facilities because of high prices and limited availability. The lawmakers are asking the administration to consider working with U.S. refiners and sulfur marketers, address transportation bottlenecks and seek additional supplies from American allies. They warn that without additional supplies, higher sulfur costs could eventually mean higher fertilizer bills for American farmers and increased dependence on imported fertilizer.