The article highlights the significant impact of rising fossil-fuel prices on the agricultural sector, particularly through the lens of fertilizer costs. Fertilizer prices have surged due to trade disruptions and the high cost of natural gas, a crucial component in ammonia production, which is a key ingredient in conventional fertilizers. The conflict in Iran has exacerbated this issue by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, through which about one-third of global seaborne fertilizer trade passes, further straining access to fertilizers, especially for poorer nations [https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/09/03/1143320/fertilizer-prices-fossil-fuels/].
The article also explores potential relief through climate-friendly alternatives. Companies like Pivot Bio and Switch Bioworks are developing fertilizer alternatives using genetically edited microbes, which do not rely on natural gas and thus are not subject to the same price volatility. These alternatives could help mitigate the financial strain on farmers, who face thin margins and are vulnerable to the ripple effects of high fertilizer costs, including increased food prices for consumers. However, the adoption of these alternatives is currently limited, with the potential to replace only a portion of synthetic fertilizers in the near term [https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/09/03/1143320/fertilizer-prices-fossil-fuels/].