On Tuesday, 97 U.S. House members submitted a letter to President Joe Biden demanding action on fertilizer prices.

Fertilizer prices have soared 300% since last year. Some of that increase is due to supply chain issues. But now the Russia-Ukraine is boosting that increase. Of course, this is all bad news for farmers everywhere, including southwest Minnesota.

“Last month, fertilizer reached the highest price ever recorded, and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, these prices are only going to get worse. I hear from farmers across my district all the time they cannot afford today’s prices,” U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach said in a press release. “Our farmers need President Biden to review all available options to lower the cost of fertilizer, and I am proud to be a co-author of this letter urging exactly that.”

The letter says it cites the most recent data from the United States Department of Agriculture. The key fertilizer sources have increased as follows: anhydrous ammonia 203%, urea 141%, liquid nitrogen 162%, monoammonium phosphate 74%, potash 125% and farm diesel 95%.

Back on March 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it was supporting additional fertilizer production. The USDA said it would make available $250 million through a grant program this summer support independent, innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply farmers.

Can the Biden administration do more?

Well, the letter listed some suggestions:

• Eliminating the cross-border vaccine mandate for transporters of essential commerce

• Urging the USDA to use its existing authorities under the food supply chain and pandemic response resources to provide support for farmers facing financial difficulties

• Ensuring agriculture minerals like phosphate and potash are part of the Department of the Interior’s crucial mission

• Increasing U.S. gas production

• Approving pending export permits at the Department of Energy for liquefied natural gas

Whether these suggestions will make a difference in the rising costs is unclear. However, we agree with the letter that the Biden Administration should consider each of these suggestions in a timely manner.

Otherwise, it will not be just the farmers who will be feeling the pain of rising costs. The consumer will be facing higher prices at the grocery store for many months to come.