Due to the war in Iran, the price of urea fertilizer has soared, posing a threat to Argentina's wheat production.

The conflict in Iran has significantly pushed up the price of urea fertilizer, which is crucial for Argentina's wheat harvest. Just a few weeks before the start of the wheat sowing season next month, this has put farmers in a difficult position. 
The conflict that broke out at the end of February led to a nearly doubling of urea prices, forcing many local farmers to consider whether to reduce the amount of fertilizer used or to abandon their planting plans. 
Roman Gutierrez, an agricultural producer from the town of Pergamino in Buenos Aires Province, said: "A few days ago, we did some calculations and the final decision boiled down to two options: either not grow wheat and instead grow crops that are useful for my farming, such as barley or oats; or to grow it but use very little fertilizer and not aim for high yields." 
Fertilizer market analyst Gustavo Chullin said that the current price of urea is $1,000 per ton, while it was only around $500 a month ago. He attributed the price surge to the contraction of global urea supply in Gulf countries due to the war, as well as the impact of the conflict on trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz. 
Data from the Rosario Grain Exchange, the main grain trading market in Argentina, shows that Argentina's wheat harvest last season reached a record high of 29.5 million tons. The institution has not yet released its estimates for the upcoming wheat harvest season.

Argentina consumes approximately 250 million tons of urea every year. Besides wheat, it is also used for corn cultivation to assist in plant growth. 
Christian Russo, the head of the agricultural forecasting department at the Rosario Grain Exchange, said that urea is "the key that will enable you to achieve higher production levels." 
However, in the small town of Venadottoelto on the fertile plains of Sanfey Province, farmers have been forced to reduce their fertilizer usage. Local farmer Noelia Castagnani said that farmers no longer purchase urea and may shift their focus from wheat cultivation to expanding the area for corn or soybean planting as the planting season approaches later on. 
"Not many people come to consult about fertilizers," Castagnani said. "The profit margin is very limited." 
Chulin stated that although a ceasefire in the Middle East cannot immediately bring the price of urea back to the level before the conflict, it will bring about some relief.