The Fertilizer Crisis Nobody’s Talking About

A study revealed that a third of children under 10 don't know milk comes from cows, highlighting a disconnect from farming realities. Farmers face immense challenges, including the Strait of Hormuz trade disruption, impacting fertilizer supply, a critical input for global agriculture. Last year, 46% of farmers filed for bankruptcy, facing years of minimal or no profit. The average farmer's profit margins are slim, typically 3-10% in good years and 0-5% in average years, with many years yielding no profit. This financial strain is compounded by rising costs for fertilizer, energy, and transportation. Geopolitical issues like shipping wars and tariffs further complicate matters, alongside a shrinking labor pool for farm work. Farmers are caught in an inflation cycle, unable to pass on increased production costs. Between 2020 and 2026, fertilizer costs alone have surged by 63%, with machinery, fuel, repairs, and chemicals also seeing significant increases. Many farmers cannot afford the necessary fertilizer, with percentages as high as 88% for rice and 70% for wheat struggling to purchase it. The reliance on government subsidies is substantial, with the budget for farmer aid increasing dramatically. In Florida, 90% of orange groves have been destroyed since 2005 due to disease, illustrating the inherent risks farmers face from weather, pests, and geopolitical events. The COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts like the one in Ukraine have further disrupted farming operations and input costs. Ultimately, the video emphasizes that consumer food prices are affected by these farming challenges, not by farmer greed. It calls for greater appreciation and support for farmers, urging people to thank them for their service. The lack of young people entering farming, with many aspiring to be YouTubers instead, signals a need for incentives and pride in the profession to ensure future food security.