The Strait of Hormuz isn’t fertilizer’s first starring role — and 1856 law still defines U.S. overseas territory

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global fertilizer trade, highlights the strategic importance of crop nutrients in the 21st century. Historically, seabird guano shaped global agriculture and U.S. overseas expansion, while modern disruptions like Russia’s Ukraine invasion and China’s phosphate restrictions underscore ongoing geopolitical tensions in fertilizer markets.