The Iran war’s fertilizer shock is hammering American farmers and 70% can’t afford what they need for this year’s growing season |
The Iran war’s fertilizer shock is hammering American farmers and 70% can’t afford what they need for this year’s growing season
With the planting season ending in six weeks, skyrocketing fertilizer prices are forcing farmers into an impossible choice: cut back and lose crop yield or stay the course and lose money.
A survey published Tuesday of 5,700 farmers conducted by the Farm Bureau shows that around 70% of farmers are unable to afford all the fertilizer they need, while nearly six in 10 said their finances have worsened due to the rising cost of both fertilizer and fuel.
The new data comes as the Iran war has strangled the global supply chain as Iran exerts its control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-third of the global fertilizer shipments flowed before the war. While more than 20 commercial ships passed through the strait over the past several days—an improvement from earlier this month when Iran essentially shut down the strait—it’s unclear whether the flow of ships will improve as the war drags on well nearing its seventh week, despite a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran signed last week, and a potential extension on the way.
As a result, prices for the three major fertilizers farmers use (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), have all increased by double digits, according to Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer at financial services firm StoneX Group.
It is the 6-week anniversary of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Fert price comparisons:NOLA urea – $230 or 49%NOLA UAN – $145 or 38%Midwest NH3 – $245 or 32%NOLA DAP – $130 or 21%NOLA potash – $10 or 3%…corn – 2-cents or 0.5% higher#sickeningforfarmers— Josh Linville (@JLinvilleFert) April 10, 2026
It is the 6-week........