Strait of Hormuz closure raises fertilizer prices in Japan
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has increased prices for imported fertilizer in Japan. Officials have begun stockpiling supplies and seeking new import sources while international shortage warnings circulate.
The Japan TimesThe effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has increased prices for imported fertilizer products in Japan and raised food security concerns among farmers. Urea, ammonium phosphate, and potassium chloride, the main raw materials for chemical fertilizers, are almost entirely imported.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, Malaysia supplied 74 percent of Japan’s urea, China supplied 72 percent of its ammonium phosphate, and Canada supplied 78 percent of its potassium chloride.
Supply and government response Severe domestic supply chain bottlenecks have affected naphtha distribution, but comparable shortages have not yet emerged in the fertilizer sector. Officials are stockpiling fertilizer products and taking steps to diversify import sources.
Warnings of a potential international fertilizer shortage have been issued. The Japan Times reported that experts say the fertilizer industry has not yet faced major domestic shortage fears comparable to those seen in naphtha supply chains.
