12.03.2026 17:46
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has opened the way for the use of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in agriculture, which has been banned since 2016, with a circular sent to 81 provincial governorships while implementing new measures for fertilizer supply due to geopolitical developments in the region.
According to information obtained by AA correspondent from the Ministry, the Strait of Hormuz is a critical corridor through which 20% of the world's oil, 25-35% of urea fertilizer, 25-30% of ammonia, and a significant portion of phosphate fertilizers pass.
AGRICULTURAL "IRAN WAR" MEASURES
The security of this region is important for the sustainability of agricultural production, as a large portion of fertilizers and raw materials are sourced from regional countries. In this context, from the very first moment the attacks by the US and Israel against Iran began, Turkey took all necessary measures to ensure food supply security and to prevent disruptions in agricultural production.
FERTILIZER STOCKS REACHED SUFFICIENT LEVELS
In this context, coordinated efforts were made with the sector from the moment the risk of war emerged. Fertilizer and raw material supplies were procured by the private sector for use in agricultural production and industry in Turkey. This ensured that the fertilizer stocks needed by producers during this period reached sufficient levels.
However, due to the uncertainty in ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, fertilizer prices began to rise worldwide.
During the spring period when top dressing for autumn crops and base fertilizers for summer crops are heavily used, new measures are being implemented to control the price increase of this product and to ensure farmers' access to fertilizers.
CUSTOMS TAX REDUCED TO ZERO
In this context, the customs tax, which was 6.5%, was reduced to zero in order to procure urea fertilizer at a reasonable price from alternative countries in the first phase. To ensure producers' access to fertilizers, the export of ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizers was halted, and measures were taken for the domestic use of these products.
Discussions are also ongoing with countries where these products are abundant to procure fertilizers and raw materials from alternative markets.
RENEWED PERMISSION FOR THE USE OF AMMONIUM NITRATE FERTILIZER IN AGRICULTURE
With a circular sent to the governors of 81 provinces by the Ministry, the use of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in agriculture was permitted again. With this decision, the use of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which has been banned in agriculture since 2016, was opened up, especially to utilize the established domestic production capacity and to ensure that producers can access fertilizers at more affordable prices, meeting the short and long-term nitrogen needs of the plant under dry farming conditions.
The sale and shipment of nitrate fertilizers (33% ammonium nitrate, 26% calcium ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sodium nitrate) were halted on June 8, 2016, to prevent their use in the production of homemade explosives.
SECURITY MEASURES WILL CONTINUE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
According to the circular, the sale and shipment of ammonium nitrate fertilizer will be carried out until May 30. Shipments to distributors by fertilizer producers and importing companies will be conducted through the Fertilizer Tracking System (GTS). Fertilizer distributors will not be able to complete sales to farmers without accepting the stock of shipments.
Farmer entitlements will be made through the GTS, taking into account the land size and crop pattern recorded in the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS). The stock exit of ammonium nitrate fertilizer by distributors will be carried out during the sale. Farmers without ÇKS registration and GTS entitlements will not be sold ammonium nitrate fertilizer under any circumstances.
Routine inspections of fertilizer distributors will be conducted by provincial and district homemade explosive commissions, and those who act otherwise will be reported to the public prosecutor's office under the Regulation on the Control of the Sale, Transport, and Stock Declaration of Chemical Fertilizers Containing Nitrate Nitrogen.