China's agrochemical dominance grows as Hormuz blockade lifts fertiliser prices
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · May 5
China's agrochemical dominance grows as Hormuz blockade lifts fertiliser prices
6 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · May 5
China makes about a third of global fertiliser and 70% of chemical pesticide raw materials, while one-third of seaborne fertiliser trade previously passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts said the US-Israeli war on Iran and the Iran-US blockade of the waterway have exposed China's stronger grip on upstream farm inputs and raised risks to global food security.
Chinese officials say domestic fertiliser supplies for spring sowing remain ample and prices are well below international levels, even as export restrictions and global shortages in urea and phosphate tighten overseas markets.
Is China's fertilizer ban a defensive shield for its people or a strategic weapon in a global food war?
With Gulf supplies cut and China holding back exports, is a global food crisis now simply unavoidable?
Global Fertilizer Crisis in 2026: Hormuz Blockade and China’s Export Restrictions Threaten Food Security for 363 Million
Overview
In May 2026, the global fertilizer crisis intensified due to the military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and China's export restrictions on key fertilizers and inputs. The blockade halted a large share of seaborne fertilizer shipments, causing severe shortages and a sharp rise in prices worldwide. China’s phosphate and sulfuric acid export bans further tightened supply, compounding production challenges. These disruptions forced farmers to reduce fertilizer use during the critical planting season, threatening lower crop yields and higher food prices later in 2026 and 2027. The crisis disproportionately impacts import-dependent regions like Asia, India, and Brazil, raising urgent concerns about escalating food insecurity and prompting varied national responses and efforts to diversify supply chains.