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SamuelTheThird

(890 posts)
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 02:37 PM 19 hrs ago

Global fertilizer market on edge as Strait of Hormuz closes

unintended consequences incoming

https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/news/global-fertilizer-market-on-edge-as-strait-of-hormuz-closure-puts-sulfur-supply-and-phosphate-production-at-risk/

An economist with the Fertilizer Institute says half of global sulfur exports need to move through the Strait of Hormuz and its closure could have long-term impacts on the fertilizer industry.

Veronica Nigh tells Brownfield, “When we think about those ammonium sulfate products, or if you’re putting on elemental sulfur, that’s going to be a pretty big challenge as we look at 2026, and certainly when we think about production of MAP and DAP globally and domestically.”

She says those phosphate fertilizers cannot be produced without sulfur or sulfuric acid.

“That’s something that is really in peril right now as we’re looking at this dispute and as we move into the future,” she shares.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Global fertilizer market on edge as Strait of Hormuz closes (Original Post) SamuelTheThird 19 hrs ago OP
Up shit creek without a paddle underpants 19 hrs ago #1
Zero mainstream media coverage of this SamuelTheThird 19 hrs ago #2
A world more complicated bucolic_frolic 19 hrs ago #3
What happens if desperate and religion-crazed Iranians do a successful crippling cyber attack? SamuelTheThird 19 hrs ago #4
lol, prepare for 1970s economic reality bucolic_frolic 19 hrs ago #6
Kick dalton99a 19 hrs ago #5
Don't forget about the urea nitpicked 19 hrs ago #7
shit SamuelTheThird 19 hrs ago #8

SamuelTheThird

(890 posts)
2. Zero mainstream media coverage of this
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 02:46 PM
19 hrs ago

I googled when I heard krugman mention it in passing.

Meanwhile the stock market is up today lol We are sleepwalking into catastrophe

bucolic_frolic

(54,797 posts)
3. A world more complicated
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 02:51 PM
19 hrs ago

than his mind can fathom. There are unforeseen consequences and stochastic fallout. Surprise dummkopf!

SamuelTheThird

(890 posts)
4. What happens if desperate and religion-crazed Iranians do a successful crippling cyber attack?
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 02:53 PM
19 hrs ago

Lots of possibilities here, just as trump has fired people in all relevant fields

bucolic_frolic

(54,797 posts)
6. lol, prepare for 1970s economic reality
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 02:58 PM
19 hrs ago

Things are not working well. So many changes so fast. States are buckling under all the new federal regulations. Companies are trusting AI to solve their customer service problems. There are no people involved in many cases, just remote workers on computers for the late night work.

nitpicked

(1,658 posts)
7. Don't forget about the urea
Wed Mar 4, 2026, 02:58 PM
19 hrs ago
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2026/03/01/beyond-oil-the-strait-of-hormuz-and-the-global-food-risk/

(snip)
Globally, about 180 million metric tons of nitrogen fertilizers are consumed each year (measured in nutrient terms). Of that, roughly 55 to 60 million metric tons of urea move through international seaborne trade annually. The Middle East accounts for approximately 40% to 50% of that traded volume.

And nearly all of those exports must transit the Strait of Hormuz.

In other words, close to one-quarter of globally traded nitrogen fertilizer—and a meaningful share of total global nitrogen production—moves through that single maritime chokepoint that is now threatened by war.

Oil may be the artery of the global economy. Nitrogen fertilizer is central to the global food chain.
(snip)
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