Markets are already feeling the impact from the tension between Israel and Iran

The conflict between Israel and Iran could cost U.S. farmers when it comes to ordering supplies. Fuel prices are already under pressure, and one economist says the markets have seen some rumbles recently.

“Most recently in the last week, we’ve had, as you know, an escalation of tensions and military conflict. Israel, looking to take out the nuclear capabilities of Iran before they, God forbid, had produced a nuclear weapon. We’ve seen markets gyrate right and left on those energy markets, and oil prices have been moving up,” said Ken Zuckerberg.

Fertilizer could come under pressure, too. Researchers at the University of Illinois say recent action in the Middle East has taken out fertilizer production in Iran. The concern is that it will add to growing uncertainty around Chinese and Russian supplies.

Related Stories
Global agriculture is stabilizing after years of price swings, with flat to modestly rising returns expected as productivity offsets slower demand growth.
Prepare for softer milk checks into winter, watch cull-cow values and timing, and stress-test cash flow as product prices recalibrate.
Expect incremental near-term lift for feed grains, proteins, and ethanol as tariff cuts and smoother approvals translate into real orders.
Cattle markets are collapsing this week, and analysts say that several factors are at play. Consumer beef prices also remain near all-time highs, threatening long-term demand.
If confirmed, early Chinese buys tighten nearby Gulf/PNW capacity and could bump basis in export-oriented regions.
The idea of buying more beef from Argentina does not sit well with much of farm country, raising some questions from analysts and producers.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

CoBank’s 2026 Year Ahead Report cites global grain oversupply, easing inflation, rate cuts, and major data center growth that could reshape rural America.
Plan for sharp, short-term volatility after unexpected outages; permanent closures rarely trigger major price spread disruptions.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down the scope of the U.S. Christmas Tree industry and what growers are up against.
Canadian tariffs would raise costs for potash, ammonia, and UAN, increasing spring fertilizer risk.