Conflicts In Far-Flung Hot Spots Are Driving Food Affordability Challenges

BusinessEnergyConflicts In Far-Flung Hot Spots Are Driving Food Affordability ChallengesByDan Eberhart,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dan Eberhart is CEO of Canary, LLC.Follow AuthorMay 07, 2026, 11:22am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Workers look at the supply of chemical fertilizers at an agricultural supply store in Neijiang, China. Beijing has restricted fertilizer exports to prioritize domestic food supply. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesRecently, American families have been facing higher grocery and gas bills, prompting criticism of President Trump and his administration—with some going so far as to even cast blame on farmers, cattlemen, and fertilizer producers. The actual drivers of today’s affordability concerns, however, are foreign adversaries who stand to benefit if Americans lose faith in President Trump and his America First agenda. If Iran, China, and others are successful, Americans will have much more to worry about than slightly higher grocery prices.President Trump and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins have prioritized food affordability. Those efforts deserve support, and calming affordability challenges will be a political win for the Trump administration. But if Washington wants to bring down food inflation for families, it must take into account the downstream implications of the current global unrest on critical inputs for America’s food supply.Fertilizer is essential to food production, and when that production becomes more costly, food becomes less affordable for families. Today’s squeeze is due to a global system under strain from war, energy shocks, shipping disruptions, export bans, refinery constraints, sulfur shortages, high borrowing costs, and drought. Not American fertilizer production. Food production relies on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in fertiliz...