The Digester

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz has choked shipments of urea fertilizer and helium that power farms and chipmakers, leaving Southeast Asian agriculture and semiconductor supply chains vulnerable to months of disruption.

About a third of global helium and half of global urea transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Southeast Asia is highly exposed because agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and one third of jobs in the region.
Prolonged fertilizer shortages could sharply cut crop yields, reduce farmer incomes, and raise food prices.
Helium shortages threaten semiconductor fabrication and MRI systems because substitutes are unsuitable for advanced processes and older fabs have limited recycling.
Measures like finding alternate suppliers, stockpiling, investing in recycling, and using green ammonia can mitigate but not eliminate the risk, and shortages may persist for months even after the conflict ends.

Iran war disrupts Gulf exports, threatening fertilizer and helium supplies

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