Press Releases
Immediate Action Required: Remove Fertilizer Tariffs to Protect Canadian Food Production
2026-03-27 Immediate Action Required re Fertilizer Tariffs
We are writing jointly on behalf of the grain farmers across Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada and the Grain Growers of Canada, regarding the rapidly deteriorating fertilizer supply situation ahead of the 2026 planting season. Global fertilizer markets are experiencing an unprecedented supply disruption. European nitrogen production remains well below normal levels, China has halted urea exports until at least August, hostilities throughout the middle east may threaten production in a number of countries and the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz has cut off several of the world’s largest exporters of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. Farmers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada rely on fertilizer imports every year, as it is not feasible to rely on Canadian fertilizer to supply our regions.
Grain farmers in our region received phone calls from fertilizer retailers warning that price quotes could no longer be provided due to extreme uncertainty in global supply and pricing.
Taken together with Canada’s existing tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia and Belarus, these developments mean Canadian farmers have effectively lost access to nearly half of the global nitrogen fertilizer supply just weeks before planting begins. Countries such as the United States can pivot toward alternative suppliers, including Russia (the US has never placed tariffs on fertilizer originating in Russia), to replace lost supply. Canadian farmers do not have that flexibility and are therefore facing higher costs and fewer supply options while competing in the same North American markets. Farmers are now weeks — not months — away from making planting decisions, and without reliable access to fertilizer, crop production and yields in 2026 will be directly affected.
Given these extraordinary circumstances, we respectfully urge the federal government to immediately remove tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizer. Ensuring Canadian farmers have access to fertilizer this spring is essential to protecting Canada’s domestic food security, agricultural competitiveness, and the stability of food and feed supply chains that Canadians and global markets rely upon. We would like to schedule a meeting with you to discuss this further please contact Debra Conlon dconlon@gfo.ca or 416-805-4490.
