China allows fresh urea exports amid Iran war-fuelled fertiliser crisis

China has issued export quotas for urea fertiliser, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, a move that could help ease soaring global prices for ‌one of ⁠the ⁠world's most widely used crop nutrients after supply disruptions linked to the Iran war.

One of the world's largest fertiliser exporters, China banned exports of many categories in March to ⁠protect domestic farmers ‌from the surge in prices triggered by the closure ⁠of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of global fertilisers and their inputs normally flow.

Urea exports are managed by a quota system and the issuance of quotas is a signal ‌authorities are confident there is enough supply domestically to release some for export.


One ⁠Chinese urea producer confirmed to Reuters that it had received export quotas but declined to provide further details. An Indian importer also said the Chinese government had issued a notification permitting urea exports, though no specifics were disclosed.