The Middle East is critical to global fertilizer trade, with 35% of global urea trade, a solid nitrogen fertilizer, coming through the region. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesThe high fertilizer prices could affect what some farmers plant this spring. They also need to add more nutrients in the spring, so they’re affected by the same high fertilizer prices as farmers who were finalizing their plans. If fertilizer prices continue to increase, there could even be political implications. For now, farmers are doing their best to contend with blistering economic headwinds brought by fertilizer prices and brutal commodities markets.

Source: The Guardian March 21, 2026 08:31 UTC