The ripple effect of the Iran war on struggling U.S. farmers

An ongoing Iran war has disrupted global fertilizer supplies, sending prices for ammonia and urea—critical agricultural inputs—up approximately 20% and 50% respectively. U.S. farmers dependent on these fertilizers for crop production are facing significantly higher input costs at a time when many agricultural operations already operate on thin margins. The price spike threatens farm profitability and could ultimately raise food prices for consumers if farmers pass costs along or reduce planting. Ammonia and urea are key nitrogen-based fertilizers used widely across American corn, wheat, and other major crop production. The disruption underscores how geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East can cascade into the U.S. agricultural economy and household food budgets.