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Iran War Disrupts Gulf Urea Output, Cutting Weekly Fertilizer Production to New Low

Weekly Gulf urea production has fallen to about 160,000 tons, reducing supply of a key nitrogen fertilizer used to grow major staple crops.

Fact Check
The specific claim that weekly Gulf urea production has fallen to ~160,000 tons originates from The Kobeissi Letter X post (2026-04-28) and is corroborated by a LinkedIn repost of the same data. The broader context is strongly supported by authoritative sources: IFPRI, UNCTAD, Al Jazeera, and CSIS all confirm that an Iran war began in early 2026, the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted, and the Gulf region supplies roughly 45-46% of global urea trade. The UNCTAD report confirms 67% of Gulf fertilizer shipped by sea is urea. However, the precise 160,000 tons/week figure has not been independently verified by a primary industry source such as Argus Media or a government statistical body in the tool results obtained. The Kobeissi Letter is a financial commentary account, not a primary data producer. The claim is directionally consistent with all available evidence but the exact tonnage figure carries some uncertainty due to its single-source origin.
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Summary

The conflict described as the Iran war has reduced Gulf urea production to about 160,000 tons per week, marking another new low for the year. Urea is the world’s most widely used nitrogen fertilizer and is a critical input for staple crops including corn, wheat, and rice, so lower output can tighten agricultural supply chains and raise input cost pressures for food production.

Terms & Concepts
  • Urea: A nitrogen fertilizer widely used in agriculture to improve crop growth and yields.
  • Nitrogen fertilizer: A crop input that supplies nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant development and grain production.