MEDFORD, Ore. – The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is straining the fertilizer industry and causing a hike in price. The Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) said the impacts in the state is still uncertain and some organizations said it might be a good idea for people to have a green thumb.
Austin McClister with the Oregon Farm Bureau said, “If there’s a disruption in a supply chain, which the Strait of Hormuz is directly involved with our supply of fertilizer, you’re going to see a disruption across the globe in a couple of different ways.”
The OFB said a disruption to global fertilizer trade could threaten food production and cause price increases, because fertilizer is so important for produce. McClister added, “If you want to feed a large population, like we have in Oregon and keep our local supply chain healthy, you’re going to need fertilizer.”
There are two types of fertilizers: nitrogen and organic. “Nitrogen fertilizer does go through the Strait of Hormuz heavily,” McClister said. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, America doesn’t directly import large quantities of fertilizer from the Middle East. However, it said “disruptions in the market in one region can influence prices and availability elsewhere.”
The OFB said for Oregon farmers, at this point the impact will vary farm to farm.
“The increase in price of fertilizer is going to affect farms differently,” McClister said. “Some farms have already purchased fertilizer and fuel at a set price, others will have to purchase it in the coming months.”
The OFB said it’s concerned about fertilizer prices sticking, creating uncertainty and may impact food prices and availability in the future, if industry conditions don’t improve.
“Fertilizer concerns some people are having about whether there’s going to be shortages or issues with the supply chain, you can change your veggie garden scraps from your cooking into compost.” said Grace Florjancic. She’s the coordinator for the Jackson County Master Gardeners program, from the Oregon State University Extension Service. She said that’s why it might be a good idea to consider growing some of your own produce. Florjancic said,
“Having a little bit of a green thumb, starting small in a more manageable way helps build that reliance and confidence on yourself to be able to feed yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbors.”
The program helps guide people to get started with their own gardens which can help people save money. Florjancic said, “There’s a big cost component to growing some of your own food, whether you’ve got just one 5-gallon bucket or a large-raised garden bed.”
The OFB adds that learning agricultural skills in the face of uncertainty can help bring some comfort to you and your family. “There’s nothing better than shoring up your own local supply chain, especially when you look at situations like this,” McClister said. “If you want to go and garden or even start up your own small-scale farm, heck yeah. Do it.”
More information on the Jackson County Master Gardeners program and what they offer can be found online. Oregon State University also has an online guide for starting a garden available.
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