Half of the world’s urea passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and with planting season already underway, it’s too late for the U.S. to make up the estimated 2 million ton shortfall.

This means crops that depend heavily on nitrogen—corn, wheat, sugar beets—will be harder and more expensive to grow, and eventually harder to find in our grocery stores.

Phosphate supplies, which support root development, are also under pressure. Saudi Arabia exports about a fifth of the world's phosphate fertilizer, and the region exports more than 40% of the world's sulfur, a key ingredient and byproduct of oil and gas refining.