EU to Act on Fertilizer Costs and Supply Risks
On 19 May, the European Commission will present a fertilizer action plan aimed at accelerating decarbonization and addressing rising costs, which have increased further due to the conflict with Iran and pressure on an already tight market.
The proposed measures are intended to tackle structural weaknesses and imbalances, boost domestic production and diversify supply chains. The Commission has not ruled out legislative changes to help stabilize the situation.
Higher fertiliser prices are linked in part to restrictions on transport through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles around a third of global trade in these products. Although the European Union is not directly dependent on nitrogen fertilizers from the Middle East, prices across all fertilizer types have been affected.
According to Expana data, urea prices in Western Europe have risen by 55% since the start of the conflict. Farmers are not yet facing shortages, having secured most of their supplies for the 2026 season before the conflict began.
The plan is also expected to include long-term measures to strengthen self-sufficiency and promote more environmentally friendly fertilizer production.