Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are creating new pressure on global fertilizer markets, with a potential blockade threatening to push prices even higher. Roughly one-third of the world’s fertilizer moves through the strait, including key inputs like nitrogen, ammonia and phosphate materials that are essential for crop production. Prices had already risen more than 40% over the past year, and ongoing shipping constraints, combined with strong global demand, are adding further upward pressure.

Additional market factors are compounding the situation, including rising sulfur costs tied to blocked Middle East shipments and increased global competition for supply, such as large import tenders from countries like India. At the same time, potential export restrictions from China on key inputs, such as sulfuric acid, could further tighten availability.

For farmers, continued disruption in this key trade route may increase fertilizer costs alongside fuel and transportation expenses, adding pressure to already tight margins and influencing input purchasing decisions heading into future crop cycles.

Read the full article to evaluate how global supply disruptions may impact your fertilizer costs.