Australian Farmers Shift to Barley Amid Fertilizer Crisis

0:00On April 2nd, Australian farmers are switching up their game this planting season, leaning toward barley instead of nitrogen hungry wheat and canola. Skyrocketing fertilizer and fuel costs, fueled by the Iran War, are forcing the shift in this major food exporter. We planting could drop 10-12% from last year's 12.4 million hectares, while canola acres might shrink too, even with better prices. Farmers are cutting back on fertilizer use, where they can, though area reductions stay small so far. Analysts say it's a global headache, with the straight of hormones handling 30% of traded fertilizers clogged by the conflict. Urea prices have jumped 30-40%. Hitting supplies hard since Australia usually pulls from China, now curved on exports. Meanwhile, US farmers plan less corn and more soybeans for next year. China's limiting shipments and India's hunting alternatives for summer crops. Corn, wheat and canola, all need more urea than barley or pulses.

1:00These changes hit right as April and May plannings kick off for November harvest, jacking up farming costs fast and reshaping what we see on global. Markets. You've been listening to Global News today, AI-powered global coverage.