Farmers in South Africa and other global regions are struggling with sharply higher costs for diesel and fertilizer during the 2026 planting season [1].

These price spikes threaten food security and the financial viability of farms. As essential inputs become more expensive, producers may reduce planting areas or face bankruptcy, potentially driving up consumer food prices worldwide.

Trade economist Thabile Nkunjana said the current crisis is linked to the US-Israeli war against Iran [1]. This conflict has disrupted energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments [1, 2]. The resulting instability has driven up the cost of fuel and the raw materials needed for agricultural fertilizers [1, 2].

The impact is being felt across multiple continents. In South Africa, farmers are grappling with these rising overheads [1]. Similar pressures are reported in the U.S., Canada, and the American Midwest [1, 2, 3].

In Canada, Richard Budd, director at Stevens Farm, said the impact of the Iran war has seen the cost of fertilizer "double" [4]. This doubling of expenses places an immense burden on operations that typically operate on thin margins [4].

The crisis is particularly acute for older farmers who may lack the capital to absorb sudden price shocks. In the U.S., 73-year-old farmer Sledge Taylor was observed in his fields on April 17, 2026, as part of reports detailing how these costs are pushing some producers to the brink [5].

Agricultural experts note that fertilizer production relies heavily on natural gas. When energy transit is disrupted, the cost of producing these chemicals rises almost immediately, leaving farmers with few alternatives for soil nutrition [1, 2].

“The impact of the Iran war has seen the cost of fertiliser "double".”

The intersection of geopolitical conflict and agricultural dependence on fossil fuels creates a volatile food supply chain. Because fertilizer and diesel are non-discretionary inputs, farmers cannot easily substitute them, meaning global food inflation is likely to persist as long as energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable.