Israel-Iran conflict could cause spike in local fertilizer cost, Salceda warns
At A Glance
- Economist-solon Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda has warned the government that the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could lead to a spike in local fertilizer prices, which in turn could affect the cost of food.
Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda (PPAB)
Economist-solon Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda has warned the government that the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could lead to a spike in local fertilizer prices, which in turn could affect the cost of food.
Approximately 66 percent of fertilizer imports to the Philippines are nitrogen based, primarily urea, the outgoing congressman said in a statement Sunday, June 15.
Qatar is one of the major suppliers. Any disruption in Gulf shipping would increase domestic fertilizer prices, Salceda said.
Qatar sits only 510 miles away from Iran, which according to reports is considering the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as an offshoot of the hostilities with Israel.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and the National Food Authority (NFA) should include contingency logistics and buffer stock provisions in their 2026 budget proposals, he said.
Once the 20th Congress convenes in late July, the House of Representatives' top priority would be the passage of the proposed national budget for 2026. The different agencies are already preparing their respective budget proposals.
Salceda said the DA and attached agencies should update their fertilizer sourcing strategies and propose funding for logistics resilience.