Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced
Summary
Mandatory fertilizer price reporting would create a weekly program requiring manufacturers and wholesalers to report prices and quantities for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and fertilizer products, and it would add a weekly retail price survey to give farmers clearer market signals. The goal is timely, accurate market information to help farmers make better buying decisions and to promote competition in the fertilizer market.
Show full summary
- Farmers: Farmers would see weekly national and regional price and quantity data so they can compare markets and plan purchases more confidently.
- Manufacturers and wholesalers: Corporate officers or designated representatives would have to report marketed prices and quantities at least weekly, and the Department of Agriculture may run competitive effects analyses on reported data.
- Cooperatives, retailers, and data protection: Cooperatives and non-manufacturer retailers are exempt from mandatory reporting but can voluntarily submit confidential data. The Department would publish aggregated weekly reports, protect identities, restrict disclosure to authorized staff, and exempt collected data from FOIA. The Secretary must review reporting requirements at least every 2 years and update rules if pricing methods change.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
New fertilizer price reporting program
If enacted, the Secretary of Agriculture would set up a fertilizer price reporting program to provide timely, accurate market information to farmers and market participants. The Secretary would summarize and publish, at least weekly, both manufacturer/wholesaler reported information and retail survey prices nationally and regionally or statewide as appropriate. The Secretary could also run competitive effects analyses of the reported information and may work with affiliated research programs to publish a dashboard.
Weekly USDA retail price surveys
If enacted, USDA Market News would run retail fertilizer price surveys at least weekly. The program would collect commercial retail-price estimates and publish state or regional estimates and formulas to estimate local retail prices. The retail survey must supplement, not replace, existing input-price collection activities.
Weekly reports from manufacturers and wholesalers
If enacted, corporate officers or designated representatives of each manufacturer or wholesaler of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium would have to report price and quantity data at least weekly. Reports would include marketed prices and quantities manufactured or marketed and must separate products marketed in the U.S. by domestic firms from those marketed in the U.S. by foreign firms. The reporting requirement would take effect upon enactment.
Data privacy and antitrust protections
If enacted, the bill would bar USDA employees and agents from releasing reported data without the reporter's consent, with narrow exceptions. USDA and enforcement officials could see the data for official duties, and disclosure could occur if directed by the Secretary or Attorney General or ordered by a court. The bill would also say reported facts are excluded from the Freedom of Information Act and would not change antitrust laws.
Biennial review of reporting rules
If enacted, the Secretary would review the required reporting not less often than once every two years. If the Secretary finds the required information no longer matches industry valuation or pricing methods, the Secretary would propose regulations after public notice and an opportunity for comment to specify additional information to be reported.
Cooperative and retailer reporting exemptions
If enacted, cooperatives and most retailers would be exempt from mandatory reporting. Retailers that are also manufacturers would still have to report. The bill would define key terms, including an affiliate threshold of 5 percent ownership and that an entity at least 25 percent owned by a cooperative counts as a cooperative. Cooperatives and exempt retailers could voluntarily and confidentially report prices and quantities to USDA or through the retail survey program.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Thune, John [R-SD]
SD • R
Cosponsors
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 3/19/2026
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 3/19/2026
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 3/19/2026
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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