Australia has convened a dedicated working group that brings together federal officials and leading fertilizer producers to shield the nation’s urea supply from potential interruptions tied to the war in Iran, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced on Thursday. The coalition will map supply chains, assess stock levels and coordinate any emergency imports needed to keep domestic farms fertilised.

Urea accounts for a large share of nitrogen fertiliser used on Australia’s wheat and barley belts, and any disruption abroad can ripple through local prices and farm margins. With Iranian exports caught in sanctions and shipping routes under threat, producers fear reduced availability could force growers to seek costlier alternatives or delay planting cycles.

The working group will meet monthly, report to the cabinet and has authority to tap strategic reserves if shortages emerge. By centralising response, the government aims to stabilise urea availability, protect agricultural output and prevent a supply shock from spilling into broader commodity markets.

Analysts see the move as a signal that governments will intervene when geopolitics threaten essential inputs. Commodity traders may price urea premiums into futures, while exporters from the Middle East could find a new negotiating lever. Investors in agribusiness will watch inventory reports for clues on profit margins.