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The Sulfur Crisis Threatening the World's Food Supply
oilprice.com · October 19, 2026 · Week 2026-43
Summary
A hypothetical war with Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, halting the transit of 24% of the world's sulfur supply. This has caused prices for the commodity, which is critical for fertilizer production, to spike from $500 to over $800 per metric ton, creating a severe threat to the global food supply chain.
Strategic Implication
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to regional conflict demonstrates the extreme vulnerability of global supply chains for critical industrial and agricultural commodities sourced from the Gulf, not just crude oil and LNG.