Middle East tensions disrupt global fertilizer supply and threaten Brazil's agricultural inputs

The recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for roughly one‑third of the world’s fertilizer shipments, has interrupted the flow of nitrogen‑based fertilizers that support about half of global food production. The reduction in shipments raises costs for farmers worldwide and heightens food‑security risks, especially in poorer nations that rely on inexpensive imports.

In Brazil, imports of phosphate fertilizers such as MAP, TSP and SSP fell 24 % in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, while sulfur imports—essential for producing phosphates—dropped 42 % and prices jumped 127 % to over US$1,000 per tonne. The scarcity and price surge have forced major manufacturers to cut utilisation rates or pause production lines, echoing broader market strains caused by the Middle‑East supply bottleneck.