US farmers face potential fertilizer shortages as Middle East conflict disrupts key production areas, threatening spring planting ahead of tariffs.
WIRED: Conflict in the Middle East is creating big problems for US farmers right before spring planting. Farmers may struggle to get enough fertilizer due to supply chain issues.
Some countries that make fertilizer cannot export it now because of fighting near shipping lanes. Qatar stopped making nitrogen fertilizer after drone strikes hit gas facilities. This means 30 percent of global ammonia and 50 percent of urea fertilizer are affected.
Saudi Arabia sells 40 percent of US phosphate imports. If shipping stops for several days, farmers will have trouble getting these important nutrients. Experts say fertilizer is not high priority for ships trying to escape danger.
Natural gas prices jumped when Qatar stopped some production. Higher gas prices make nitrogen fertilizer more expensive to produce. Farmers already dealing with trade problems now face higher costs and possible shortages.
Josh Linville from StoneX says this disruption could not come at a worse time. Veronica Nigh from the Fertilizer Institute warns that phosphate supplies look challenging if the conflict continues. The situation threatens food production and farm income.