Global Food Systems · Fertilizer Disruption Risk

When the Fertilizer Stops

Seasonal vulnerability to fertilizer supply disruption, by country and month. Countries light up during their peak import windows — when a maritime chokepoint blockage or export ban would hit hardest.

May

Hover over a country bubble for details · Drag the month slider to see seasonal shifts

Peak-month vulnerability: Critical (≥80% import dep.) High (55–80%) Moderate (30–55%) Low (<30%)

✛ Maritime chokepoint (active) Dimmed = off-peak month

Bubble size = import value (USD billions, 2024). Import dependency % = share of consumption met by imports.

▶ Sources & Methodology

1. World's Top Exports (2024 import/export data)

2. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service — Fertilizer trade reports

3. FAO Remaining Fertilizer Trade Tracker

4. IFA Short-Term Fertilizer Outlook 2024–2025

5. USDA IPAD Crop Calendars by country/region

6. Argus Media — Fertilizer market coverage

7. World Bank — Fertilizer crisis data (2022–24)

8. Conab — Brazil fertilizer logistics bulletins

9. India FAI — Fertiliser supply data (Apr–Dec 2025)

10. AfricaFertilizer.org — SSA import/price tracking

Import dependency ratios synthesized from USDA FAS, IFA, and FAO data. Peak months derived from crop calendars and seasonal import volume patterns. Sub-Saharan Africa treated as three sub-regions due to distinct planting seasons. Values are approximate and reflect 2023–2024 data. Chokepoint exposure based on primary shipping routes for each country's top fertilizer suppliers.