Story perspectives

Rising Fertilizer Prices Threaten U.S. Food Security

3/12/2026

Summary

Farmers Face Fertilizer Crisis

Fertilizer prices rise for U.S. farmers due to Middle East disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz.
The American Farm Bureau Federation warns these supply issues could reduce crop yields and threaten food security.
Fertilizer plants have closed as energy costs stay high, intensifying pressures on markets.
Analysts say Gulf and Sub-Saharan Africa, reliant on imports, may face sharp food price spikes.

Summary

Larsson Advocates Ecological Farming

Greenpeace Aotearoa's Amanda Larsson warns that the Middle East conflict disrupting fertilizer supply chains could trigger a global food price shock.
Larsson criticizes reliance on synthetic fertilizers from a few corporations, which leaves farmers vulnerable during crises.
Larsson advocates shifting to ecological farming to enhance food sovereignty and resilience.
Larsson calls on governments to support sustainable practices and healthy soil over the industrial model.

History

Historical Context

The 1973 Oil Crisis, triggered by an Arab oil embargo during the Yom Kippur War, quadrupled oil prices and caused U.S. inflation to soar to 11.1%. This crisis disrupted agricultural sectors reliant on energy-intensive fertilizers, leading to long-term shifts towards sustainable practices. Today, similar vulnerabilities arise as geopolitical tensions threaten food security, echoing the economic impacts of the past.

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Farmers Face Fertilizer Crisis

Fertilizer prices rise for U.S. farmers due to Middle East disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz.
The American Farm Bureau Federation warns these supply issues could reduce crop yields and threaten food security.
Fertilizer plants have closed as energy costs stay high, intensifying pressures on markets.
Analysts say Gulf and Sub-Saharan Africa, reliant on imports, may face sharp food price spikes.

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