Manila: Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has assured that fertilizer supply in the country remains stable despite escalating tensions in the Middle East, as the agency ramps up the use of alternative sources to cushion the impact of rising global prices.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tiu Laurel stated that the country's exposure to supply disruptions is limited, but higher oil and freight costs are expected to drive up fertilizer prices due to tensions affecting key trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that supply is not the issue, but rather the price, and that the DA is prioritizing alternatives to reduce reliance on imported and inorganic fertilizers while advancing the broader goal of sustainable, food-secure agriculture by boosting farm yields.
During his visit to the Agri Specialists Inc. facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna, with Senator Francis Pangilinan, Tiu Laurel highlighted locally produced biofertilizers. Developed by researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Ba±os National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, these biofertilizers can replace up to two 50-kilogram bags of urea fertilizer per kilogram. Each kilogram of biofertilizer costs PHP750, roughly a third of the current price of a single bag of complete 14-14-14 fertilizer.
Tiu Laurel noted that the DA has been promoting biofertilizers, liquid fertilizers, and soil ameliorants even before the US and Israel airstrike on Iran in February 2026, which pushed oil prices higher and heightened concerns over global supply chains. Data show that only about 20 percent of the country's 713,000 metric tons of imported urea-based fertilizers in 2025 came from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with the bulk sourced from Asian countries such as Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam. Imports of ammonium sulfate fertilizers were entirely from China and Japan, further reducing dependence on Middle Eastern routes.
Despite stable supply, the DA estimates that higher fertilizer and transport costs could increase food prices by PHP2 to PHP5 per kilogram, with rice expected to be the most affected due to its heavy fertilizer requirements. Field trials indicate that farmers can cut urea use by half or more without sacrificing yields, helping offset rising input costs.
Senator Pangilinan expressed concerns that the energy crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could threaten the country's food security if left unaddressed, particularly given its impact on fertilizer supply. He called for a review of the 2026 national budget, stating that senators are prepared to pass a supplemental budget if necessary.
Tiu Laurel assured that the government will continue scaling up alternative inputs and other interventions to help stabilize production and protect consumers from sharper price increases amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.
