Sana'a: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed on Thursday that global fertilizer trade volume declined by 30 percent during the first four months of 2026 due to the war in the Middle East.
According to Yemen News Agency, the organization expects a "slow and uneven" recovery in this regard even with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that between January and April, trade volume reached 41 million tons, compared to 58 million tons during the same period in 2025, after farmers postponed purchases due to rising fertilizer prices and declining grain prices.
The UN-affiliated organization mentioned that countries including China and Turkey imposed restrictions on their fertilizer exports, leading to a further decline in trade volume. Trade value also fell to $18 billion in the first four months of the year, a decline of 18 percent year-on-year.
Fertilizer consumption growth slowed in 2025, reaching 209 million tons, due to grain prices, and in some regions, due to unfavorable climatic conditions as well as high interest rates. Fertilizer prices began to decline as a result of seasonal demand slowdown.
Nevertheless, the organization stated that "concerns remain regarding the next agricultural season 2026-2027," in light of the continued suspension of purchasing operations, especially in Europe and North America.