As we enter year three of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and as tensions are boiling over in the Middle East, we can’t help but realize the impact these events are going to continue to have on our farms. While disputes throw off demand and shipping, especially in pirate-infested waters, it also means supplies could be harder to come by as well. This is especially true as we look at what this means for our fertilizer supplies.
Josh Linville is VP of Fertilizer at Stone-X. He gives us his appraisal of the situation we’re in as we look to the 2024 growing season.
Shipping is the main concern as ships are making longer trips and are having to navigate dangerous waters. Military responses to the uptick in piracy has things even more on edge.
Right now, things are still manageable according to Linville. However, the markets and the supply chain reacts violently to hypothetical scenarios.
The waiting game is on as some suppliers have fertilizer on hand. It won’t become as big of a problem until either shipments are slowed, or the situation escalates.
