BEIRUT — Military operations in the Persian Gulf have severed key fertiliser supply chains, with Iran's phosphate exports grinding to a halt as international sanctions tighten and shipping lanes face increased security risks.

Agricultural commodity markets registered sharp price increases as traders recognised the severity of supply disruptions. Iran accounts for roughly 8% of global phosphate rock production, a crucial ingredient in fertilisers that support crop yields across Asia and Africa. The Strait of Hormuz closure has prevented Iranian exports from reaching traditional buyers in India, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asian nations that depend heavily on imported nutrients for rice and wheat cultivation.

"We're seeing panic buying in fertiliser markets that hasn't been witnessed since the 2008 food crisis," said Dr. Hassan Mahmoud, agricultural economist at the American University of Beirut. "Countries that import 70% of their fertiliser needs are particularly vulnerable to these supply shocks." Major agricultural producers including India and Brazil have begun rationing fertiliser supplies to domestic farmers while seeking alternative suppliers from Morocco and Russia.

Food security analysts predict the fertiliser shortage will manifest in reduced harvest yields by late 2026, particularly affecting staple crops like rice, wheat, and maize. "The timing couldn't be worse, coinciding with La Niña weather patterns that are already stressing agricultural systems," warned Maria Santos, senior researcher at the International Food Policy Research Institute. Several African nations have requested emergency agricultural assistance from the World Food Programme as domestic fertiliser prices surge beyond farmers' purchasing power.