Why the Straight of Hormuz matters to every New Zealand farm

Victoria Mulligan, March 2026
New Zealand’s agricultural economy depends on more than productive land and good weather - it depends on imported inputs moving through some of the most exposed supply chains in the world. This article explores why the Strait of Hormuz is not just an energy chokepoint, but a farming one, with fertiliser disruption posing a quieter and potentially more consequential threat than rising oil prices. From nitrogen dependency to just-in-time shipping, it makes the case that food-system resilience can no longer be treated as a background issue. Read More