Bangkok: The fertilizer crisis is unlikely to resolve quickly; the government is urged to make a decision on finding new sources of imports. The president of the Thai Fertilizer and Agro-Business Association stated that the global fertilizer situation remains tight, affecting supply, price, and transportation. The urea market, in particular, is highly volatile and unlikely to improve in the short term, even though Thailand has sufficient stock to cover the new production season. He urged the government to make urgent policy decisions, find new import sources, and hold immediate discussions with relevant stakeholders to address the risks posed by the situation in the Middle East.

According to Thai News Agency, Colonel Plengsak Prakasaphesat, President of the Thai Fertilizer and Agro-Business Association, revealed that the overall global fertilizer market is currently volatile, especially urea fertilizer, which is directly affected by the tense situation in the Middle East, impacting both production and export. Meanwhile, transportation routes through the Strait of Hormuz are becoming more restricted, posing challenges in terms of price, time, and transportation. This reflects the fact that the current global fertilizer crisis is affecting the entire system. Although Thailand can still source fertilizer from other sources, such as Asian markets, Russia, or ASEAN countries, the key factors are price competitiveness and timing of purchases. Many countries have increased demand, particularly major importers, which could lead to higher and more volatile global fertilizer prices.

Colonel Plengsak further stated that the government should expedite the establishment of a systematic management approach, particularly regarding decision-making on product procurement and supply chain management, to keep pace with the situation. He also called for a forum for discussion among directly involved agencies, including policymakers, importers, manufacturers, and the business sector, to define clear and timely guidelines. He warned that delays in decision-making could lead to higher costs and increased supply uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the government's measures to monitor fertilizer stocks at the factory, importer, and retail levels are seen as an appropriate approach to closely track the quantity of goods in the system and prevent hoarding during periods of market volatility.

For farmers, it is advised to closely monitor the situation and respond calmly, avoiding excessive stockpiling of fertilizer, which could further exacerbate market volatility. It is recommended to adapt by learning how to use fertilizer correctly-the right formula, type of crop, timing, and in accordance with soil analysis results-to minimize costs and maximize efficiency.

Furthermore, it was suggested that the current situation be used to restructure agricultural production, including selecting fertilizers appropriate for crop types, soil conditions, and weather, as well as using fertilizers efficiently. It was emphasized that "using fertilizers properly" will help reduce costs and increase the competitiveness of the Thai agricultural sector in the long term.