US EditionHow Does the Iran War Affect Fertiliser Supplies, Prices and Food Security?
Urea exports have dropped by more than half and prices surged over 40%, raising concerns about food security for low-income countries, analysts say.
- On March 16, 2026, the U.S.-Israel war with Iran entered its third week, and analysts warn it severely disrupts fertiliser markets, with urea prices jumping about 40% to over $700 per metric ton last Friday.
- Energy disruptions have hit production because fertiliser costs rely on natural gas for up to 70%, and one-third of trade passes the Strait of Hormuz, which has largely been shut since the conflict began.
- Globally, urea exports are set to fall to about 1.5 million metric tons in March, while India recently agreed to buy 1.3 million tons, Bangladesh shut four of five factories, Egypt supplies 8%, and Brazil is almost 100% reliant on imports.
- U.S. farmers reporting shortages are facing rising costs as fertiliser prices have surged 32% and supplies are about 25% short this season.
- Because the global market was already tight before the war, nitrogen-based products like urea are critical near term as missing one season likely hits yields, Argus analyst Marina Simonova said.
13 Articles
13 Articles
EXPLAINER | How does the Iran war affect fertiliser supplies, prices and food security?
As the US-Israel war with Iran enters its third week, analysts warn it is severely disrupting fertiliser markets and endangering food security for developing countries in the short-term.
Times of India
Explainer: How does the Iran war affect fertiliser supplies, prices and food security?
The escalating conflict between the U.S. and Israel against Iran is sending shockwaves through the global fertilizer industry. Trade routes, especially through the vital Strait of Hormuz, are facing disruptions, affecting the flow of both fertilizer and energy resources. With fertilizer production closely tied to natural gas availability, many facilities are halting operations due to gas shortages.
Al-Monitor
The Straits TimesExplainer-How does the Iran war affect fertiliser supplies, prices and food security?
By May Angel and Tristan VeyetLONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - As the U.S.-Israel war with Iran enters its third week, analysts warn it is severely disrupting fertiliser markets and endangering food security for developing countries in the near term.Here is how the conflict is affecting fertiliser costs, trade flows and output:WHY IS THE HORMUZ STRAIT KEY FOR FERTILISER SUPPLY?Fertiliser production is energy-intensive, relying heavily on natural gas…
Middle East conflict tightening urea supplies
The chief economist with The Fertilizer Institute says the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is raising concerns about U.S. fertilizer supplies. “We think we’re about 2 million tons short on nitrogen for the spring market.” Veronica Nigh says around 50% of global exports of urea moves through the now-closed Strait of Hormuz, which doesn’t […] The post Middle East conflict tightening urea supplies appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
War flags need for NZ food security plan
Reading Time: 2 minutes The United States-Israel war on Iran is accelerating the need for a national food security plan in New Zealand, says Eat New Zealand CEO Angela Clifford. Clifford told Farmers Weekly that concerns around access to fuel and fertiliser are real, but it would be a mistake to frame food security as just our ability to access and store fuel and fertiliser. She said the inability of Kiwis to access our own food seems to have ac…
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