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The Strait of Hormuz crisis is exposing a hidden food risk. New fertilizer tech could help

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Why This Matters

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz highlights vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly for essential agricultural inputs like fertilizer. Innovations in new fertilizer technologies could reduce dependency on fragile natural gas-based methods, enhancing food security and stability for consumers and the tech industry alike. This shift may also drive advancements in sustainable agriculture and supply chain resilience.

Key Takeaways

For more than a century, conventional fertilizer has relied on natural gas—and fragile supply chains. Startups are beginning to change that. When ships can’t make it through the Strait of Hormuz, the fallout goes beyond the price of oil: Nearly a third of the world’s fertilizer also passes through the corridor, coming from factories in countries like Qatar. Fertilizer prices have surged due to the Iran war—and added one more reason that food prices are going up around the world.