How Can China's Phosphorus - related Spring Ploughing Break Through with Rising Fertilizer Prices Caused by US - Iran Conflict?
Phosphorus management
28 February 2026 at 12:00
Phosphorus management
28 February 2026 at 12:00
The flare - up of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has sent shockwaves through the international fertilizer market. This seemingly distant strife, like a butterfly effect, has rapidly reached China's spring ploughing season, especially affecting the prices of phosphorus - containing fertilizers. Farmers are deeply worried. How can spring ploughing proceed smoothly?
Why did the conflict between the US and Iran cause the price of phosphorus - containing fertilizers to soar? The Strait of Hormuz is the key. This strait transports about 20 million barrels of crude oil and other petroleum products daily, accounting for about 20% of the global demand. It is the lifeline of global energy transportation. Moreover, about a quarter of the global nitrogen trade passes through this strait. The increase in energy prices driven by the conflict has led to a general rise in fertilizer prices, and phosphorus - containing fertilizers are no exception. In addition, although phosphate rock is not transported in large quantities through this strait like nitrogen, under the linkage of the industrial chain, its price has also been affected.
The increase in the price of phosphorus - containing fertilizers has a significant impact on China's spring ploughing. Phosphorus fertilizers are essential nutrients for crop growth. The rising price directly increases the planting cost. Some cash crops with high demand for phosphorus fertilizers may see a reduction in planting area by farmers due to the increased cost. At the same time, it may affect the balance of phosphorus in the soil. In the long run, it is not conducive to the sustainable use of land.
In the face of this dilemma, China's agriculture is not without solutions. The government can strengthen the regulation of the phosphorus - containing fertilizer market, such as releasing reserves to stabilize prices and ensure the supply for spring ploughing. Encourage domestic phosphorus-chemical enterprises to optimize production, improve the utilization rate of phosphorus resources, and increase the output of phosphorus fertilizers. Additionally, promote precision fertilization techniques, applying phosphorus fertilizers accurately according to soil phosphorus content and crop needs, reducing waste.
From the perspective of sustainable development, this is an opportunity to promote the sustainable management of phosphorus resources in China. Through this response, not only can the spring ploughing be guaranteed and food production stabilized, but it can also prompt the transformation of agriculture towards a green and efficient direction, promote the recycling of phosphorus resources, enabling phosphorus to achieve more sustainable development in agricultural production, and gain a more favorable position in global agricultural competition. It is believed that with China's active response, we can break through the haze of rising prices of phosphorus - containing fertilizers and welcome the vitality of spring ploughing.
