U.S. Farmers Face 70% Fertilizer Affordability Crisis as Iran War Drives Diesel to $5.67
Updated
Updated · Salon · May 15
U.S. Farmers Face 70% Fertilizer Affordability Crisis as Iran War Drives Diesel to $5.67
6 articles · Updated · Salon · May 15
An April American Farm Bureau Federation report found 70% of U.S. farmers cannot afford enough fertilizer to operate another year, with the squeeze hitting hardest during the 2026 planting season.
Fertilizer prices jumped from about $400 a ton in early February to nearly $600 in early March after Iran-war disruption choked Strait of Hormuz trade; roughly half of global urea supply and 30% of ammonia exports move through the waterway.
The Southeast is under sharper pressure because only 19% of farmers pre-booked fertilizer before the war, leaving 78% there unable to afford all the fertilizer they need.
Diesel has added a second cost shock, rising 54.4% nationwide since the war began to an average $5.67 a gallon on May 14, lifting freight and farm operating expenses.
USDA has touted a 150-day Jones Act suspension and longer-term domestic capacity plans, but analysts say new fertilizer plants take 3 to 4 years to come online and offer little immediate relief.
Can short-term government aid truly save American farms from the combined threat of drought and global conflict?
With war and monopolies blamed for high costs, are farmers paying the price for a broken food system?
As historic drought grips the nation, why is funding for agricultural climate adaptation being cut?
2026 U.S. Farm Crisis: 65% Unable to Afford Fertilizer as Global Conflicts Drive Input Costs and Threaten Food Security
Overview
U.S. farmers are facing a severe affordability crisis for essential agricultural inputs like fertilizer and fuel, which is significantly impacting their planting decisions for the 2026 season. This crisis is driven by a combination of already high prices and recent sharp increases, made worse by global conflicts. As a result, a significant majority of farmers cannot afford the resources needed to ensure good crop yields. The inability to secure enough fertilizer directly threatens spring planting, raising concerns about lower crop production and higher food prices for consumers in the coming year.