The UN Secretary-General highlighted a sharp rise in fertilizer costs driven by the Ukraine crisis, warning that it could trigger droughts in key crops around the world. Prices for essential nutrients have surged, and the fear is that this will affect harvests in major food-producing regions as well as import-dependent markets.
Global food prices have climbed to unprecedented levels, underscoring a fragile balance between supply and demand across continents.
Fertilizer costs have more than doubled in many markets, creating alarm for farmers who rely on these inputs to grow staple crops. When fertilizer is unaffordable or unavailable, fields for wheat, corn, and other staples may underperform, pushing prices higher and threatening farmer viability in the coming seasons.
The concern is that billions across Asia and parts of South America could feel the adverse effects of these price pressures, especially with tight agricultural margins and limited social safety nets in some regions.
If access to affordable food remains constrained this year, concerns about shortages could intensify for the next planting cycle and harvest season.
A shift in the global fertilizer outlook is anticipated as sanctions impact trade flows. Some analysts note that much of the world could still source fertilizers and related commodities if sanctions are adjusted or lifted, highlighting the interdependence of fertilizer markets and the broader geopolitical context.
The Ukraine conflict and ongoing sanctions have disrupted grain shipments, prompting international bodies to warn about potential food-security risks in multiple countries and regions, including North America and Western Europe where local markets may feel indirect effects through price volatility and supply chain shifts.