'The planting season is now,' but war in Iran has sparked a global fertilizer shortage

War in Iran has disrupted global fertilizer supplies during a critical planting season, threatening agricultural output in developing nations already struggling with climate pressures. Fertilizer production and exports from Iran and neighboring regions have been constrained by the conflict, limiting availability for farmers who need to apply nutrients before sowing crops. The shortage is hitting vulnerable farmers hardest—those in developing countries face rising costs for inputs while also contending with temperature swings and unpredictable rainfall that reduce yields. Food prices are expected to climb as reduced fertilizer access leads to lower harvests globally. The timing is particularly acute because planting season waits for no one; delayed or reduced applications now will translate directly to smaller crops later this year.