The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will conduct a second review of countervailing duties on phosphate imports from Morocco and Russia, following an April 22 court ruling. The U.S. Court of International Trade remanded the ITC’s 2021 decision, requesting a clearer explanation of how these imports harmed the domestic fertilizer industry. The Department of Commerce emphasized this is a reassessment of the original ruling, not a routine review.

Since the case began in 2020—filed by U.S. producer Mosaic—legal disputes and appeals have continued. The ITC imposed duties in 2021: 16.6% on Moroccan phosphates and 18.21% on Russian ones. These measures, along with legal uncertainty, have led to tighter phosphate supply and rising prices in the U.S. market, with importers cautious about sourcing from Morocco and Russia.

The latest review’s written submission deadline is June 20. Earlier this year, the court partially rejected the final determination against Morocco’s OCP. In May, it also ordered Commerce Dept. to better justify its rate increase on Russia’s PhosAgro, citing limited data use. In 2022, Commerce had already revised conclusions due to procedural errors.