{
  "id": 17333959,
  "title": "Middle East fertiliser exports decline by 70% as Iran war disrupts supplies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/middle-east-fertiliser-exports-decline-by-70-as-iran-war-disrupts-17333959",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T03:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2026/10/31/middle-east-fertiliser-exports-decline-by-70-as-iran-war-disrupts-supplies/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Middle East conflict has severely disrupted fertiliser supplies to global markets, threatening global food production and crop yields, according to analysts. Shipments have plummeted by an estimated 70-75 percent, with volumes falling to 994,000 tonnes in September, compared to 3.41 million tonnes in September 2022, said Madeleine Overgaard, senior manager of agriculture data at Kpler. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route, remains largely closed, with ships facing attacks as they attempt to pass. Saudi Arabia is moving fertilizers overland to its Red Sea ports, but limited volumes have not replaced strait shipments. Export volumes are expected to remain subdued through year-end unless the security situation improves. The Gulf region, a vital supplier of urea and other fertiliser ingredients, accounts for 25-30 percent of global sulphur production and up to 50 percent of global seaborne trade. Continued attacks on commercial vessels have created hesitation among vessel owners and charterers, further disrupting supplies. The situation poses a significant risk to global food production, with fertiliser deficits likely leading to reduced crop yields and higher food inflation downstream next year.",
  "summary": "The Middle East conflict has disrupted fertiliser supplies from the region to global markets, posing a risk to global food production and crop yields, analysts said. Volumes have plummeted as the Strait of Hormuz , a vital trade route, remains largely closed, with ships attempting to transit the waterway facing attacks. Saudi Arabia is moving fertilisers overland to its Red Sea ports, but limited…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Rifts over wars in Ukraine, Middle East loom over G20 meeting in US",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/rifts-over-wars-in-ukraine-middle-east-loom-over-g20-meeting-in-us",
        "published": "2026-10-30T10:46:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "Canada pledges 500 million euros toward Ukraine support loan amid 2027 budget shortfall",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/canada-pledges-500-million-euros-toward-ukraine-support-loan-amid",
        "published": "2026-10-31T00:16:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Canada joins EU’s Ukraine loan program",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/canada-joins-eus-ukraine-loan-program",
        "published": "2026-10-31T00:58:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Jakarta Post",
        "title": "Rubio urges G20 cooperation amid rifts over wars in Ukraine, Middle East",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/rubio-urges-g20-cooperation-amid-rifts-over-wars-in-ukraine-middle",
        "published": "2026-10-31T01:40:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}