France Subsidizes Fertilizer Costs to Counter Middle East Trade Disruptions

The volatility stems primarily from the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor that facilitates roughly one-third of global fertilizer trade. As transit risks increase, the resulting supply chain bottlenecks have driven input costs to unsustainable levels for domestic producers. Beyond immediate subsidies, the state plans to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities to insulate the agricultural industry from future supply shocks. These measures aim to stabilize farm balance sheets while securing the long-term resilience of France's food production systems.