Fertiliser shortages expected on Irish farms amid Middle East conflict

Grass and forage expert Dr Patrick Cashman on expected fertiliser shortages and the knock-on effects of price hikes on farming margins and the rural community

About 20% of the global fertiliser supply travels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Irish farmers are facing rising fertiliser costs and potential supply shortages.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel, continues to impact shipments of fertiliser from major producers including Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which together account for an estimate 20% of traded global nitrogen (N) fertiliser.