Iran Tensions Worry Wisconsin Farmers Over Fertilizer Prices, Groceries

Global tensions involving Iran could disrupt fertilizer shipments used by Midwest farmers, potentially raising grocery costs.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:21pm

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Tensions with Iran could disrupt fertilizer shipments used by Wisconsin farmers, according to experts. The American Farm Bureau says urea fertilizer prices have jumped 25% since February, and economists warn that higher fertilizer and fuel costs could eventually lead to rising grocery prices. Farmers in the state are concerned about the impact on their operations and ability to pass along increased costs to consumers.

Why it matters

Wisconsin is a major agricultural state, and disruptions to the global fertilizer supply chain could significantly impact local farmers' ability to grow crops cost-effectively. Any increases in production costs are likely to be passed on to consumers in the form of higher grocery prices.

The details

Fertilizer, like oil, has global supply chains that can be affected by geopolitical tensions. Much of the world's fertilizer supply travels through shipping routes near Iran, and the American Farm Bureau says urea fertilizer prices have jumped 25% since the end of February. Even though Wisconsin farmers may have already locked in fertilizer prices for the season, there are still concerns about ongoing supply and cost issues. Economists warn that the higher fertilizer and fuel costs could eventually lead to rising grocery prices, as the increased production costs get passed on to consumers.

  • The American Farm Bureau says urea fertilizer prices have jumped 25% since the end of February 2026.
  • Wisconsin farmers will begin planting crops in the coming weeks.

The players

Jim Renn

A Waukesha County farmer and member of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

Brian Jacobsen

Chief economic strategist at Annex Wealth Management.

American Farm Bureau Federation

A national organization representing agricultural interests.

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What they’re saying

“Even though we booked that, that doesn't necessarily mean that the co-ops in North America have all that material here, so it could be sitting on a ship.”

— Jim Renn, Waukesha County farmer

“Whenever we see these types of shocks, it's actually a bit of a lagged effect, because if you think about the planting season, you're not going to start harvesting until probably August or September. And so there could be a delayed effect, as far as when you see what is the quality and quantity of the crops, but it could be this thing that builds.”

— Brian Jacobsen, Chief economic strategist, Annex Wealth Management

What’s next

The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging the U.S. government to protect shipments of fertilizer and other agricultural supplies as they move through the Middle East.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the vulnerability of the global agricultural supply chain to geopolitical tensions, and the potential for disruptions to fertilizer shipments to have ripple effects on food prices for consumers in Wisconsin and beyond.