# Even if the strait reopens in the near future, fertilizer inputs such as urea, ammonia, phosphates and sulfur would take about a month to reach the United States.

*business · news · 2026-04-14 · POLITICO*

## Key points

- Fertilizer shipments to the U.S. will take about a month to arrive even if the strait reopens.
- Supply chain backlogs for fertilizer could take years to fully recover, not just months.
- Helium shortages are worsening due to damaged Qatari facilities, with recovery expected to take years.
- Medical research labs are already experiencing doubled helium costs and canceled supply contracts.
- Farmers are shifting from corn and cotton to crops like soybeans and watermelon that need less fertilizer.

**Countries:** United States, Qatar, Germany

[Read the full story on POLITICO](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/14/trump-iran-oil-prices-00869939)

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