DA: Fertilizer prices may rise

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April 2, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — While the country has sufficient fertilizer supply, agriculture chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said prices may go up as tensions in the Middle East threaten global supply routes.

Tiu Laurel said the “upward pressure” on global prices is driven by logistics costs and market uncertainty as Iran has restricted trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for a significant share of global urea, nitrogen and phosphate shipments.

“I reviewed all the figures on where our fertilizer comes from … supply is not the issue, it’s really the price,” Tiu Laurel said.

He estimated increases of around P2 to P5 per kilogram for many agricultural products, driven largely by transport expenses.

Rice remains the “most vulnerable” commodity due to its heavy reliance on fertilizer, while highland vegetables may see smaller increases.

Corn producers can tap alternative inputs to help maintain yields, Tiu Laurel added.

Tiu Laurel said that field tests show farmers can significantly reduce their use of traditional urea without sacrificing yields.

“If you used to apply 10 sacks of urea, you might now be able to use only half or even just three,” he said, citing successful trials using bio-based and nanotechnology-driven solutions.

Tanker traffic has dropped by more than 90 percent, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is threatening agricultural production and global food security.

FAO projections indicate that global fertilizer prices could average 15 to 20 percent higher in the first half of 2026 if the crisis persists. –  Pia Lee-Brago