26 March 2026, Moscow: Due to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz in early to mid-March, global commodities such as energy and fertilizers are already facing supply shortages. On Tuesday, Russia, a major global fertilizer exporter, announced a temporary one-month suspension of ammonium nitrate exports, further exacerbating the global fertilizer supply crunch.
[uam_ad id="80259"]
Russia controls approximately 40% of the global ammonium nitrate trade. The export suspension, which will last until April 21, is primarily aimed at ensuring domestic fertilizer supply for the spring planting season. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture stated that it has halted all issued ammonium nitrate export permits and will not issue new ones, with exceptions for government contract-related permits.
Since 2021, Russia has continuously implemented fertilizer export controls, requiring companies to prioritize domestic market supply. This round of export suspension will ensure that Russian nitrogen fertilizers are first allocated to meet local field operations during the spring planting period.
From a supply chain perspective, the Strait of Hormuz handles 24% of global ammonia shipments, and ammonia is a key raw material for ammonium nitrate production. The shipping disruptions have directly increased the risk of raw material supply shortages. As a critical nitrogen fertilizer, ammonium nitrate is essential for spring farming. Supply shortages will intensify competition for limited inventories, thereby raising expectations for higher global food prices.
Multiple disruptions are also affecting the supply side: Russia’s domestic nitrogen fertilizer production capacity has been impacted by attacks from Ukraine, with core nitrogen fertilizer producer Dorogobuzh PJSC being attacked and catching fire in late February, with production expected to remain halted until May. International fertilizer giant Yara International has also suspended production at its Australian plant, further tightening global fertilizer supply.
On the trade front, Russia is Brazil’s largest fertilizer supplier, accounting for 25.9% of Brazil’s fertilizer imports. This export suspension will directly impact Brazilian agricultural production. Additionally, Russia’s key ammonium nitrate export destinations include India, Peru, Mongolia, Morocco, and Mozambique, among others, with some exports to the United States in 2024 as well.
Analysts at Jefferies, an investment banking and capital markets firm noted in a report that infrastructure damage in the Middle East, combined with supply contractions in multiple countries, will keep fertilizer prices elevated in the medium to long term.
Russia Halts Ammonium Nitrate Exports, Raising Concerns for India and Brazil Agriculture
Global Agriculture is an independent international media platform covering agri-business, policy, technology, and sustainability. For editorial collaborations, thought leadership, and strategic communications, write to pr@global-agriculture.com
