Strait of Hormuz sulfur price spike signals future fertilizer cost challenges as fossil fuel byproduct supply declines

Summary

The article discusses how the Strait of Hormuz sulfur price spike reveals a critical vulnerability in global fertilizer supply chains. Sulfur, a byproduct of fossil fuel processing, is essential for phosphate fertilizer production and industrial processes like copper and nickel refining. As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, the supply of cheap sulfur from oil and gas processing will decline, potentially causing fertilizer costs to rise significantly. The article argues that this overlooked dependency on fossil fuel byproducts poses a serious challenge for sustainable agriculture and food security in a decarbonizing future.