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Middle East Conflict Disrupts Fertiliser And Energy Supplies, Hitting South Asian Farmers

Kashmiri farmers spread chemical fertilizer into the soil around an apple tree in an apple orchard in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on May 23, 2026. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran raises concerns over potential disruptions to global energy and fertilizer supplies, posing economic risks for import-dependent South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The region is a major supplier of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and fertilizer feedstocks such as ammonia and urea, making global markets vulnerable to instability and potential disruptions along key shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Rising fuel and fertilizer prices are increasing transportation and farming costs, adding pressure on farmers already facing inflation and climate-related challenges. In India, the world's second-largest fertilizer consumer, higher global prices could increase the government's subsidy burden and raise agricultural input costs. Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the efficient and prudent use of fertilizers as rising global energy prices continue to affect the country's economy. (Photo by Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto)

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