From Strait of Hormuz to the Pasar: How Conflict Hits Fertiliser
The Iran war is unfolding far from Malaysian farms, yet its shockwaves run straight through our food system. Up to 30% of global fertiliser trade and an estimated 20% of liquified natural gas flow through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow corridor now constrained by shipping restrictions and attacks on energy infrastructure. Natural gas is the main feedstock and energy source for producing ammonia, the building block of nitrogen fertilisers like urea. As Iran limits shipping and facilities in the Gulf come under fire, prices for energy and fertiliser have risen sharply, and supply has become more uncertain. For countries that import fertiliser or rely on Gulf gas to manufacture it, this volatility translates into higher agricultural input costs and difficult planting decisions. What begins as a maritime security crisis in the Persian Gulf ultimately shapes what gets planted, how much fertiliser is applied, and how much food reaches global markets.
Fertiliser Price Impact on Global Food Production and Staples
Nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers underpin global food production, sustaining yields of cereals, vegetables and oilseeds that feed billions. When fertiliser prices spike or supplies are disrupted, farmers often respond by cutting back on applications or switching to less input-intensive crops. Analysts warn that sustained disruptions in Gulf exports of urea, ammonia and phosphates could reduce fertiliser use and lower crop yields, increasing food security risks, particularly in regions heavily dependent on these imports. More than half of international agricultural trade passes through vulnerable sea routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, turning localised conflict into worldwide volatility. Higher input costs feed through the agrifood chain: grain traders, millers, food processors, and finally retailers and restaurants must either absorb thinner margins or pass costs along. As a result, staple ingredient costs for rice, wheat, vegetables and spices may climb, while quality and consistency become harder to maintain season after season.
When Inputs Change, So Can Taste: Subtle Shifts in Cultural Food Traditions
Fertiliser shocks are not just about quantity; they can also influence the character of the food we eat. When fertiliser becomes expensive or scarce, farmers may reduce application rates, switch fertiliser types, or plant different crops altogether. These choices can affect crop size, flavour intensity and nutritional content. Vegetables grown with less nitrogen may be smaller and less visually appealing; grains may be more variable in quality, affecting texture in noodles or breads. Over time, such changes ripple into cultural food traditions built around specific ingredients and sensory expectations. Heritage dishes that rely on consistent rice grain length, chilli heat, or aromatic herbs may subtly shift in taste or mouthfeel. In response, communities may adapt by shrinking portion sizes, diluting rich components like spice pastes, or substituting with more resilient local crops and varieties, gradually evolving recipes that once seemed timeless.
Malaysia on the Front Line: Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai and Rising Input Costs
For Malaysians, the war impact on food feels distant until it touches everyday favourites. Nasi lemak depends on fertiliser-intensive crops: paddy rice in irrigated fields, coconut trees for santan, and chillies and cucumbers grown with nitrogen and phosphate inputs. Roti canai links back to wheat, a crop highly sensitive to fertiliser availability and energy prices along global supply chains. Curries and sambals rely on onions, tomatoes, spices and legumes, many imported from regions that source urea and ammonia from the Gulf. When fertiliser price impact hits farmers upstream, millers and wholesalers face higher staple ingredient costs that can push up prices in wet markets and mamak stalls. Some food operators may respond with thinner gravies, smaller protein portions, or cheaper varieties of rice and flour. The result could be nasi lemak that feels less fragrant, roti that is less fluffy, or curries that taste slightly muted compared with what we remember.
Building Resilience: From Imported Fertilisers to Smarter, Localised Systems
The current conflict exposes a deeper structural vulnerability: global agriculture’s dependence on concentrated, fragile supply chains for synthetic fertilisers. Millions of producers rely on nitrogen tied either directly to imports or indirectly to natural gas from regions like the Gulf. Experts argue that coping with this crisis requires more than waiting for prices to fall; it means redesigning production systems to be less fertiliser-dependent and more locally resilient. In Mexico, for example, farmers are experimenting with nitrogen-fixing species such as Sesbania and Canavalia to enrich soils and cut synthetic fertiliser use. Similar agroecological and scientific approaches could help Malaysian farmers reduce exposure to external shocks—through diversified cropping, biological fertilisation and better nutrient management. Strengthening local fertiliser alternatives and regional supply chains will not only stabilise global food production, but also help safeguard the taste, quality and continuity of our cultural food traditions in an increasingly uncertain world.