The outbreak of war between Iran and Israel disrupted shipments from global fertilizer production hubs, triggering sharp price spikes in Turkey. Urea fertilizer surged 38.5% monthly, leaving farmers grappling with a dual crisis of rising costs and climate shocks.

Şemsi Bayraktar

The Iran-Israel war that began on June 13 has severely disrupted Turkey’s fertilizer market. The conflict zone hosts countries critical to global fertilizer production. Shipment restrictions there caused prices to skyrocket in Turkey, which imports over 90% of its chemical fertilizer raw materials. Şemsi Bayraktar, President of the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), stated: "Restrictions on shipping routes have increased prices in countries sourcing fertilizer or raw materials from these nations. Turkey’s fertilizer market has also been adversely affected."

Urea fertilizer suffered the steepest hikes. Its price jumped 38.5% monthly from 19,635 TL to 27,192 TL. Yearly increase reached 99.4%. DAP fertilizer rose 12.9% (30,521 TL), 20.20.0 compound fertilizer 10.7% (19,198 TL), ammonium sulfate 6% (11,768 TL), and ammonium nitrate 3.1% (13,294 TL). Annual increases ranged between 34.7% and 48.8%.

YEARLY FEED INCREASE 30%

Input price surges extended beyond fertilizer. Data from Bayraktar showed diesel (49.89 TL/liter, +15.1% yearly), electricity (+47%), and animal feed (+30%) compounded farmers’ production costs. These hikes followed April’s frost and subsequent drought, which slashed wheat and barley yields. Bayraktar warned: "Farmers who couldn’t procure fertilizer earlier will be forced to buy at these prices, but many won’t afford it." This threatens additional yield losses in soon-to-be-fertilized crops like corn, sunflower, and rice, amplifying damage to agricultural output.

The TZOB President urged support for farmers: "Supporting our farmers struggling with rising input costs, especially fertilizer, is crucial. Within this scope, basic subsidies in 2025 support packages must be increased."