Strait of Hormuz blockade leaves nearly 1 mln tons of fertilizers stuck

More than 20 ships carrying nearly 1 million tons of fertilizers remain stuck in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The situation is raising concerns about a potential fertilizer shortage in Asian countries and the resulting risks to food security.

According to analytics firm Kpler, the 21 vessels are carrying around 463,000 tons of urea, 303,000 tons of sulfur, and over 200,000 tons of phosphates. The ships cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the open sea under Iranian control. The ongoing conflict has effectively halted commercial shipping through the strait, causing these cargoes to be trapped.

The situation remains uncertain. Reports indicate that one fertilizer-laden vessel linked to a Chinese company has managed to transit the strait since its closure, but the vast majority of ships are still waiting.

The disruption is particularly concerning for Asian importers, including India, China, and Southeast Asian nations, which heavily rely on fertilizers sourced from the Gulf. Experts warn that prolonged blockage could lead to sharp price increases and shortages ahead of key planting seasons.

Kpler estimates that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for an extended period, annual shipments of fertilizer components could decline by 30–50%, directly affecting crop yields and food prices across the region.

Tags: fertilizers