Sinofert's Call for Fertilizer Stability Amid Conflict

Sinofert instructs customers to avoid speculation and hoarding of fertilizers as the spring planting season approaches. The Iran war disrupts production and shipping, affecting global supplies. China, self-sufficient in fertilizers but reliant on Middle Eastern sulphur, may tighten export controls without formal announcements.

China's state-owned Sinofert has issued a stern warning to its customers against speculating and hoarding fertilizers during the critical spring planting season, as reported by the state-backed Securities Times. The ongoing conflict in Iran has already led to the shutdown of regional fertilizer plants and disrupted key shipping routes, affecting supply lines to major importers in the Northern Hemisphere.

The country's phosphate and compound fertilizer industry association has echoed Sinofert's call, urging producers and distributors to maintain adequate agricultural supplies and stable prices. While China remains largely self-sufficient in fertilizers and independent of Gulf imports thanks to substantial reserves, it relies heavily on the Middle East for over half of its sulphur imports.

As the situation progresses, China may opt to tighten fertilizer export controls in response to the conflict, according to two agricultural analysts. However, such measures are likely to be communicated privately to major producers and customs authorities, avoiding formal public announcements.