Andrés Warns on Fertilizer
Chef José Andrés warned this week that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten global fertilizer flows and therefore food production — he called out the wider economic impact amid regional instability (x.com). His comments underline supply‑chain risks that ripple from geopolitics into food prices and vendor viability (x.com).
Maritime-security monitors recorded about 20 reported incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz between Feb. 28 and Mar. 12, and a March 11 wave of attacks left three mariners missing and raised confirmed vessel strikes in the region to 13. (maritimenews.com) Major carriers suspended bookings and many ships rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope after tanker transits plunged to roughly 21 since Feb. 28 versus more than 100 ships per day before the conflict. (cnbc.com) War‑risk and P&I insurers withdrew or sharply repriced coverage for Gulf transits, a move analysts say has made routine fertilizer shipments through the corridor economically unviable for many operators. (capts-ndsu.com) UNCTAD’s rapid analysis shows chemicals, including fertilizers, accounted for about 13% of seaborne trade through Hormuz in 2025, and the strait carries roughly one quarter of global seaborne oil and significant volumes of LNG and fertilizers. (unctad.org) Market-data firm Kpler estimates monthly fertilizer shipments from the Gulf at about 3–3.9 million tonnes and says roughly one‑third of global fertilizer exports transit the Strait of Hormuz. (kpler.com) Retail fertilizer costs jumped in mid‑March: DTN reported urea at $674 per ton (up ~12% month‑over‑month) and UAN32 at $489 per ton (up ~5% month‑over‑month). (dtnpf.com) Fertilizer producers saw sharp market moves—CF Industries shares were trading roughly 68% higher year‑to‑date and surged about 24% in March as investors priced in tighter nitrogen supply. (247wallst.com (morningstar.com)) U.S. farm groups and trade monitors warn the timing threatens spring planting plans: the American Farm Bureau called for presidential intervention to secure fertilizer shipments, and NDSU’s March trade monitor described an immediate market shock from the Hormuz closure. (fb.org (capts-ndsu.com))
