Justice Department Investigates Fertilizer Price Manipulation by Top Producers

The US Department of Justice is investigating leading fertilizer producers to determine whether their pricing practices violated civil or criminal antitrust laws. The companies under scrutiny include Nutrien, Mosaic, CF Industries, Koch, and Yara.

Federal investigators are looking into whether the companies colluded to raise prices. No conclusion has been reached, and the companies have not been accused of wrongdoing by antitrust officials.

Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Mueller says the investigation reflects concerns corn producers have raised for years about fertilizer price manipulation.