--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260818-sulfur-shortage-phosphate-supply-afi-hormuz-warning/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # Sulfur shortage threatens global phosphate supply as Hormuz blockade and Russia ban cut 2 of 3 top sources Publication Date: 2026-08-18T17:00:00-04:00 Last Updated: 2026-08-17T23:51:20-04:00 Author: Kim Clarksen (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/kimclarksen/) Categories: [Markets](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/), [Production & Supply](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/production/) ![A large coal ship enters Newcastle Harbour to load coal for export. Newcastle is one of the largest black coal export ports in the world.](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/a-large-coal-ship-enters-newcastle-harbour-to-load-coal-for-export-newcastle-is-one-of-the-largest-black-coal-export-ports-in-the-world-stockpack-istock-scaled.jpg) More than half of traded sulfur transits Hormuz, and Russia's export ban compounds the loss, threatening phosphate output worldwide. The Fertilizer Institute president Corey Rosenbusch warned in an August 6 interview that a sulfur shortage is emerging as the next major threat to global phosphate supply, amplifying the disruption already caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade. More than half of globally traded sulfur passes through the Hormuz strait under normal conditions, and virtually no commercial shipments have gotten through since the Iran conflict began, according to Rosenbusch. Sulfur is an essential feedstock for sulfuric acid production, which in turn is required to convert phosphate rock into finished fertilizer products such as DAP and MAP. Without adequate sulfur supply, phosphate plants cannot operate at full capacity regardless of phosphate rock availability. The sulfur shortage has already forced [production curtailments at multiple U.S. phosphate facilities](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260805-itafos-ceo-warns-sulfur-shortage-could-worsen-in-2027/), including four Mosaic plants that reduced output earlier this summer. Rosenbusch noted that Russia's decision to extend its sulfur export ban through the end of 2026 has compounded the Hormuz-related losses, removing two of the three largest sulfur supply sources from global markets simultaneously. The combined disruption is tightening sulfuric acid availability across the Americas, Europe and South Asia, where phosphate producers depend on imported sulfur. The sulfur shortage is feeding directly into higher phosphate prices. DAP in Illinois reached $912.22 per ton as of August 7, up 24% from two years ago. Mosaic has settled its Q3 sulfur contracts at $705 per long ton and guided DAP realizations at $820 to $840 per metric ton FOB plant for the quarter. Rosenbusch called on the administration to recognize sulfur as a critical supply chain bottleneck that warrants attention alongside nitrogen and potash in any policy response to the broader fertilizer cost crisis. Source: [RFD News](https://www.rfdtv.com/tight-sulfur-supplies-raise-new-phosphate-fertilizer-concerns) Tags: [DAP](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/dap/), [fertilizer prices](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/fertilizer-prices/), [Mosaic](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/mosaic/), [phosphate](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/phosphate/), [Strait of Hormuz](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/strait-of-hormuz/), [sulfur](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/sulfur/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.