MECHANICSVILLE, Va. (WRIC) — The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is impacting some farmers in Central Virginia. A third of the world’s fertilizer goes through the Strait, now costing more than double in some cases than it was pre-war in Iran.
The Strait has been closed since the start of the war in Iran on Feb. 28. It’s a crucial waterway for oil and natural gas. In fact, a third of the world’s fertilizer goes through the Strait. Its closure is now straining farmers.
The beginning of April marked the start of a major planting season, including for Grayson Kirby in Mechanicsville. He runs Creamfield Farm with seven full-time employees, specializing in row crops like corn, soybean and sorghum.
Kirby said he was prepared for a hike in fertilizer costs, but not knowing how long the war could last leaves a lot of uncertainty…