‘It’s not sustainable’: US farmers reeling as Iran war pushes fertilizer costs up

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 8 min read 100% complete by Debbie Carlson in Chicago and Victoria Bekiempis in New YorkMarch 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM

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US farmers are facing increased financial strain due to rising fertilizer costs, exacerbated by recent geopolitical events. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key fertilizer trade route, due to the US-Israel conflict with Iran, has further driven up prices during the critical spring planting season. Farmers like Rodney Bushmeyer, whose family has farmed in Illinois for generations, are struggling with dwindling profits as fertilizer costs have doubled while commodity prices for grain have decreased. The Middle East is a crucial hub for global fertilizer trade, and the US relies on imports for a significant portion of its fertilizer needs. Experts warn that these conditions are unsustainable in the long term, potentially threatening the viability of American farms.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Germany 30% Shelby County 30% AgMarket 40% Saudi Arabia 40% Illinois ×250% Matt Bennett ×250% Bushmeyer Farms 60% Middle East 60% Strait of Hormuz 70% Iran ×270% Rodney Bushmeyer ×480% United States ×490%

Keywords

fertilizer prices 100% us farmers 90% iran war 80% agricultural nutrients 70% spring planting season 60% strait of hormuz 50% grain 50% commodity prices 50% nitrogen fertilizer 40% global fertilizer trade 40%