Why your fertilizer could cost more because of the Iran conflict

Shares of fertilizer producers surged Monday, as investors bet that supply disruptions resulting from the conflict in the Middle East could lead to higher nitrogen prices — boosting profits in the process. Prices were already set to rise before the Iran conflict started, as a large recent order from India for urea fertilizer had tightened supplies. But given that Iran, along with the Middle East in general, accounts for significant fertilizer exports, and that the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping lane in t ...