US farmers are grappling with a sharp surge in fertiliser costs since the Iran war disrupted global supply chains through the Strait of Hormuz. John Yeley, who farms 3,500 acres near Marshall, Illinois, will pay $53,000 more for anhydrous ammonia this year after prices jumped from $800 to $1,050 per ton. "It's the last thing we needed," he said.

The price spikes are hitting at the worst possible moment—spring planting season. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, urea prices have risen 47 per cent since late February, while farm diesel is up 46 per cent. Around 70 per cent of farmers surveyed said they cannot afford all the fertiliser they need. Middle Eastern countries account for nearly half of global urea exports, making the Hormuz blockage particularly devastating.

Farmers were already struggling with declining incomes from lower grain prices and higher production costs before the war. Many have been losing money since 2023, with some forced to seek federal assistance. The Trump administration offered a $12bn rural aid package late last year, though Yeley dismissed it as "a drop in the bucket." Economists warn the fertiliser crunch could persist for 12-18 months even after the strait reopens.

The situation threatens to reduce crop yields as farmers cut back on nutrients, potentially driving food prices higher. "This fall's going to be scary," Yeley warned.