United States Leads G20 Initiative to Secure Global Fertilizer Access Amid Iran War Disruptions

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent leads a G20 push to secure fertilizer access amid Iran war disruptions. Learn how the 2026 plan aims to protect 45M people.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

A Coordinated Response to Agricultural Supply Shocks

The United States, acting in its capacity as the current chair of the Group of 20 (G20), has initiated a high-level diplomatic push to ensure global access to fertilizer amidst the fallout of the war with Iran. Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Friday, April 17, 2026, that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is urging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to prioritize the stabilization of agricultural trade. The initiative seeks to create a financial and logistical buffer against disruptions that have already sent urea and ammonia prices surging as the critical spring growing season begins in the Northern Hemisphere.

IMF Warns of Escalating Global Food Insecurity

The urgency of the G20 initiative is underscored by a sobering assessment from the IMF, which warns that the cumulative effects of energy spikes and fertilizer shortages could destabilize the food security of 45 million people by mid-2026. Global fertilizer prices, particularly for nitrogen-based inputs that rely on natural gas, increased by nearly 46% between February and March 2026 following the outbreak of hostilities. This "input cost shock" mirrors the market volatility seen during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but with a unique focus on the Middle East’s role as a primary supplier of the nutrients required for staples like wheat, corn, and rice.

Debt Distress and Crisis Lending in Africa

The ripple effects of the war are being felt most acutely in sub-Saharan Africa, where at least a dozen nations are reportedly negotiating new lending programs with the IMF to combat rising production costs. In countries such as Nigeria and Ethiopia, surging fuel and transport prices have sharply increased the cost of operating agricultural machinery and distributing aid. According to senior U.S. officials, the G20 plan focuses on providing "agility and flexibility" in policy responses, ensuring that developing nations can secure necessary inputs despite the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and the volatile security environment in the Persian Gulf.