(The Epoch Times)—The Trump administration is working on securing alternative fertilizer supplies for U.S. farmers as conflict with Iran threatens shipping through the Gulf, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on March 17.
Washington had already taken steps to offset potential shortages, including authorizing increased production in Venezuela and opening discussions with Morocco, Hassett said, speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
“We’ve put established licenses for Venezuela to produce more fertilizer. We’ve had discussions with Morocco, which has the largest reserve of potash anywhere on Earth,” the White House adviser said.
“And so we’ve been all over the fertilizer problem. And I’m not saying that we can eliminate what disruption there is so far, but we can minimize it for sure.”
Fertilizer is critical to crop yields and the global food supply. Most fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three primary nutrients needed for plant growth, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Because of its importance, fertilizer supply disruptions can ripple through food systems.
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the onset of the Iran war last month has led to a sharp disruption to global shipping, particularly for oil and energy flows, driving up prices and forcing importers to seek alternative routes.
A March 11 report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies said that 20 to 30 percent of global fertilizer exports, including about 35 percent, of urea shipments, transited the Strait of Hormuz in 2023.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on March 16 that shortages could have long-term consequences.
“If there is a lack of fertilizers this year, there’s going to be also food deprivation next year,” she said.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also cautioned on March 16 that shipping disruptions in the Gulf could drive up global food prices because fertilizers move through the region.
Hassett acknowledged disruptions could not be fully eliminated but said they could be reduced.
Asked whether alternative supplies would be prioritized for domestic use, Hassett said the focus was squarely on U.S. agriculture. He said fertilizer supplies were a top concern, because U.S. farmers apply large quantities during the spring planting season.
He noted that common fertilizers include ammonia-, urea- and nitrogen-based products, as well as potash, which is typically applied in the fall but still crucial to crop yields.
“A lot of this stuff is made from liquid natural gas,” Hassett said, adding that one major facility in Qatar supplies a significant share of fertilizer used in the United States. “It supplies maybe about 20 percent of the fertilizer in the U.S.,” he said.
Supply Chains
Fertilizer distribution in the United States depends on a complex transportation network linking imports, domestic production, and inland distribution.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture transportation data, imports typically arrive at major ports on dry bulk vessels or enter by rail from Canada, then move inland by barge, rail, pipeline, and truck.
In the Middle East region, Saudi Arabia accounted for 24 percent of U.S. phosphorus fertilizer imports and 4 percent of nitrogen fertilizer imports over the past year. Israel supplied 16 percent of U.S. phosphorus fertilizer imports, while Lebanon accounted for 5 percent.
Import volumes also follow a seasonal pattern tied to farming cycles. USDA data show shipments rise sharply in late winter and early spring ahead of planting, fall during the growing season, and increase again toward winter preparation.
Between February 2025 and January 2026, potassium imports were consistently the largest, at roughly 928,000 tons in April and about 573,000 tons in December.
Nitrogen imports peaked at around 923,000 tons in March 2025, then dropped from nearly 360,000 tons to around 309,000 tons in June and July, respectively, while phosphorus imports were far smaller and more variable.
War Outlook, Economic Impact
Hassett expressed confidence that the conflict would be relatively short, citing the administration’s planning and coordination with allies.
“We are basically getting briefed on every nuance of the war every day and then thinking through the economic implications,” he told CNBC on March 17, adding that officials had prepared for disruptions across sectors “from fertilizer to getting fuel to the West Coast.”
He said the administration believed the conflict would last weeks rather than months, consistent with President Donald Trump’s earlier timeline.
“The bottom line is that the timeline that President Trump has stated over and over is that it’s a four- to six-week war and that we’re ahead of schedule,” Hassett said.
Despite higher fuel costs, he said the U.S. economy remained resilient.
“The U.S. economy is fundamentally sound,” he stated, adding that Iran had not significantly damaged U.S. economic performance.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.
