Strait of Hormuz conflict threatens fertilizer supplies to US farmers WASHINGTON (CNN)– The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global fertilizer shipping, causing price surges and supply concerns for American farmers. The disruption comes as growers across the United States beg in the spring planting season. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for transporting both finished fertilizers and the raw materials needed to manufacture them. The United States currently imports about 35% of its total fertilizer needs every year, often relying on just-in-time deliveries to meet seasonal demands. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a primary chokepoint for the international fertilizer trade. The waterway accounts for approximately half of the world’s supply of urea, a nitrogen fertilizer frequently used for crops such as corn. It also handles about a third of global ammonia exports and significant shipments of sulfur. Ships carrying these materials have essentially stopped moving through the region since the conflict began. The disruption has led to immediate price increases for agricultural inputs. Pivot Bio CEO Chris Abbott said, “I’ve not seen this level of disruption before. Urea prices are up 50% since that Friday before.” John Newton, vice president of public policy and economic analysis at the American Farm Bureau Federation, said, “With the closure of that strait, it’s lifted prices here in the United States by several $100 per ton. So that immediately squeezes farmers’ bottom line.” Rising costs and supply limitations may force farmers to change their production plans. Newton said that growers might plant different crops that require less nitrogen or decrease their overall fertilizer application. Newton said that these adjustments “could have an impact on crop yields and and ultimately prices.” Industry leaders expressed concern regarding the timing of the disruption as the spring planting season begins. Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, warned that delays in receiving supplies could lead to significant agricultural losses. “If we miss that window, we could have catastrophic crop failure,” Rosenbusch said. The United States still requires a significant amount of fertilizer to meet demand for the current season. Rosenbusch said that while some supplies are already in place, more is needed for the coming months. “I’m told we still need to import about 25% of our need for March, April and May application.” Rosenbusch said the worst-case scenario of growers being unable to plant would lead to “food security conversations.” WISHTV.com created this story from an on-air script. ...read more read less