Fertilizer shipments delayed, FAO warns
Fertilizer shipments are being delayed or rerouted amid Gulf shipping shocks, pushing food‑system risk and higher input costs for import‑dependent regions. The FAO is urging governments to secure alternative trade routes as shortages could persist 'months, not weeks' and Gulf states are tightening food retail checks. (energycapitalpower.com) (moroccoworldnews.com)
About one‑third of global seaborne fertilizer trade normally transits the Strait of Hormuz, and that corridor has seen near‑total commercial closures since Feb. 28 amid the regional strikes that triggered the current shipping shock (carnegieendowment.org). At least 23 vessels loaded with urea, sulphur and phosphates are reported stalled or unable to transit the Gulf, creating a measurable export backlog concentrated in Middle East ports. (indexbox.io) Cargo insurers have cancelled coverage on riskier Gulf sailings, prompting vessel operators to cancel or reroute sailings and reducing available lift for fertilizer shipments, according to industry trade group TFI. (tfi.org) Typical Gulf‑to‑destination transit and loading cycles run about 30–45 days, a timeframe that means cargos delayed or rebooked now will miss critical April–May planting windows across multiple Northern Hemisphere markets. (ncga.com) The FAO’s March brief lists immediate measures — developing alternative trade routes, boosting market monitoring, and targeted farmer support — as priorities to stabilise supplies while diplomatic efforts aim to reopen Hormuz. (openknowledge.fao.org) Sub‑Saharan vulnerability is acute: Africa imports roughly 90% of its fertilizer from the Gulf, Russia and China, Kenya’s subsidy programme serves 3.15 million farmers, and Ethiopia planned to import about 10.6 million quintals for the 2025/26 season, creating concentrated demand exposure. (energycapitalpower.com) Major carriers are rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, producing a reported 112% surge in diverted vessel traffic through Cape Town and adding roughly 10–15+ days and large per‑voyage fuel/insurance surcharges compared with Hormuz transits. (thestar.co.za)(marineinsight.com)
