The measure comes as fertilizer prices have surged worldwide after the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor along Iran’s coast that handles roughly one-third of global fertilizer trade. The disruption has intensified competition for alternative supplies and raised concerns over food production and agricultural costs.

The Council said the temporary tariff suspension would apply to major nitrogen-based fertilizer products but would exclude imports originating from Russia and Belarus.

Although the EU has limited direct dependence on Middle Eastern fertilizer supplies, officials said market-wide price increases have affected fertilizer availability and affordability across the bloc. The move is intended to ease pressure on farmers facing higher production costs during a period of heightened volatility in global agricultural markets.

The Council noted that a significant share of EU fertilizer imports already enters duty-free under preferential trade arrangements. However, substantial volumes continue to face customs duties ranging between 5.5% and 6.5%.

To protect European producers while expanding supply, the tariff waiver will be capped through a quota mechanism. Eligible imports will be limited to the volume of most-favored-nation imports recorded in 2024, plus an additional amount equivalent to 20% of fertilizer volumes imported from Russia and Belarus during the same year, the Council said.

The measures are expected to take effect within days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal.

The decision follows warnings from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization that a prolonged disruption of shipping through Hormuz could trigger severe consequences for global food systems by constraining access to fertilizers and raising production costs for farmers.

Early signs of strain are already emerging in agricultural markets. Australia, the world’s third-largest wheat exporter, is planting fewer crops this season amid elevated fertilizer costs, raising the risk of a substantially smaller harvest.

Across parts of Asia, rice production is also expected to decline this year as the conflict compounds weather-related challenges associated with an emerging El Niño pattern.

According to the Council, the EU imported 2 million metric tons of ammonia and 5.9 million metric tons of urea in 2024, alongside 6.7 million metric tons of nitrogen-based fertilizers and nitrogen-containing mixtures.

The European Commission estimates the bloc’s direct reliance on Middle Eastern supplies remains relatively limited, accounting for about 3% of ammonia imports and between 1% and 2% of nitrogen fertilizer imports.

The measure comes as fertilizer prices have surged worldwide after the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor along Iran’s coast that handles roughly one-third of global fertilizer trade. The disruption has intensified competition for alternative supplies and raised concerns over food production and agricultural costs.

The Council said the temporary tariff suspension would apply to major nitrogen-based fertilizer products but would exclude imports originating from Russia and Belarus.

Although the EU has limited direct dependence on Middle Eastern fertilizer supplies, officials said market-wide price increases have affected fertilizer availability and affordability across the bloc. The move is intended to ease pressure on farmers facing higher production costs during a period of heightened volatility in global agricultural markets.

The Council noted that a significant share of EU fertilizer imports already enters duty-free under preferential trade arrangements. However, substantial volumes continue to face customs duties ranging between 5.5% and 6.5%.

To protect European producers while expanding supply, the tariff waiver will be capped through a quota mechanism. Eligible imports will be limited to the volume of most-favored-nation imports recorded in 2024, plus an additional amount equivalent to 20% of fertilizer volumes imported from Russia and Belarus during the same year, the Council said.

The measures are expected to take effect within days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal.
The decision follows warnings from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization that a prolonged disruption of shipping through Hormuz could trigger severe consequences for global food systems by constraining access to fertilizers and raising production costs for farmers.

Early signs of strain are already emerging in agricultural markets. Australia, the world’s third-largest wheat exporter, is planting fewer crops this season amid elevated fertilizer costs, raising the risk of a substantially smaller harvest. Across parts of Asia, rice production is also expected to decline this year as the conflict compounds weather-related challenges associated with an emerging El Niño pattern.

According to the Council, the EU imported 2 million metric tons of ammonia and 5.9 million metric tons of urea in 2024, alongside 6.7 million metric tons of nitrogen-based fertilizers and nitrogen-containing mixtures.

The European Commission estimates the bloc’s direct reliance on Middle Eastern supplies remains relatively limited, accounting for about 3% of ammonia imports and between 1% and 2% of nitrogen fertilizer imports.

Finance Minister Roland Lescure said on Tuesday
Lescure made the remarks as he arrived for the second and final day of a G7 finance ministers’ meeting in Paris, where officials from the world’s leading industrialized economies have been discussing global growth risks, debt pressures and development financing.

The French minister said participants broadly agreed that multilateral financial institutions needed to play a stronger role in assisting countries struggling with economic fragility and external shocks.

A joint communiqué outlining the outcomes of the meeting is expected later on Tuesday.

The discussions come as developing economies continue facing pressure from high borrowing costs, slowing global trade, climate-related disruptions and the lingering effects of recent geopolitical conflicts on food and energy markets.

International financial institutions, including the IMF and World Bank, have faced increasing calls from advanced economies and developing nations to accelerate lending reforms, expand crisis financing and improve debt restructuring mechanisms for low-income countries.

G7 officials have also been under pressure to demonstrate coordinated support for vulnerable economies amid concerns that widening debt burdens and fiscal instability could undermine global economic recovery.

In a joint statement issued after meetings in Paris, the G7 officials said it was “imperative” to restore normal transit through the strategic waterway, which handles a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

The statement was released following discussions among finance chiefs from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as tensions linked to the Middle East conflict continue to disrupt international trade and energy flows.

The ministers also emphasized the need to address widening global current account imbalances and reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral coordination in responding to threats facing the world economy.

The G7 warned against arbitrary export restrictions and stressed the importance of maintaining stable and predictable energy markets at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain volatility.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, remains one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime chokepoints. Any disruption to traffic through the corridor can have immediate consequences for oil prices, shipping costs and inflationary pressures across major economies.

The latest G7 statement reflects growing international concern over the economic fallout from escalating regional tensions and the broader impact on global trade, energy security and financial markets.

A Pakistani source involved in the negotiations said discussions were “on track” for Wednesday, despite earlier indications from Iran that it might not attend. U.S. President Donald Trump could join the talks either in person or virtually if an agreement is reached, the source added.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan for the переговоры, according to media reports, while Iranian officials said Tehran was “positively reviewing” whether to send a delegation, without confirming participation.

The diplomatic push comes as a two-week ceasefire in the conflict, which began on February 28, nears its end. A Pakistani source said the truce is expected to expire late Wednesday U.S. time.Financial markets reacted to signs of renewed diplomacy, with oil prices falling more than $1 and equities rising in early Asian trading amid expectations that talks could resume.

Brent crude traded near $94 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell below $88.Tensions remain elevated, however, following disputes over the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and the recent interception of an Iranian vessel.

Tehran condemned the seizure and warned Washington would bear responsibility for any escalation.Iranian officials also reiterated that they would not negotiate under pressure. Senior figures, including Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused Washington of attempting to force concessions through economic and military pressure.

Washington has said it seeks an agreement that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while stabilizing energy markets. Tehran, for its part, is seeking relief from sanctions and an end to hostilities without compromising its nuclear program.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations, as the waterway handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments and has been affected by restrictions imposed during the conflict.

Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel in Islamabad ahead of the potential talks, underscoring the high stakes and security concerns surrounding the negotiations.

Ministers are set to gather in Santa Marta against the backdrop of fuel shortages and rising prices following what the International Energy Agency has described as the largest oil supply shock on record, driven in part by constraints around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supplies.

The conference, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, was initiated amid frustration with the pace of negotiations under United Nations climate frameworks, where consensus-based processes have struggled to produce a clear pathway for reducing fossil fuel dependence.

Organisers say the current energy crisis has reinforced the strategic need for a managed transition, even as some governments increase coal use in the short term to stabilise domestic supply.Energy security considerations are expected to weigh as heavily as climate commitments during the discussions, reflecting the policy dilemma facing both advanced and developing economies.

Countries including Australia, Canada and Norway are expected to attend alongside emerging producers such as Angola, Mexico and Brazil, as well as coal-reliant economies like Turkiye and Vietnam. European nations including Germany, France and the United Kingdom are also set to participate.

However, several of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers and consumers, including the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia, will not be represented, limiting the scope of any immediate global alignment.Colombia’s environment minister Irene Vélez Torres said the meeting has gained increased relevance in light of recent geopolitical developments, describing it as an opportunity to foster more direct engagement between producers and consumers on an issue often constrained in multilateral forums.

Analysts say the smaller, focused format may allow for more candid discussions but could also dilute outcomes given the diversity of national interests. Climate scientist Bill Hare of Climate Analytics noted that broader participation can make it harder to reach specific commitments, while supporters argue the inclusion of fossil fuel-producing nations marks a necessary step in advancing negotiations.

Participants from climate-vulnerable states, including Tuvalu and Vanuatu, are expected to push for accelerated timelines, citing the disproportionate impact of climate change and their reliance on imported energy. Officials from these countries have framed the current crisis as further evidence of the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Global investment in clean energy now outpaces spending on fossil fuels by roughly a factor of two, yet emissions from coal, oil and gas reached a record high in 2025, underscoring the gap between policy commitments and implementation.

The Santa Marta meeting is not expected to yield binding agreements but will contribute to a voluntary roadmap on fossil fuel transition being developed under Brazil’s leadership, as countries continue to grapple with balancing climate goals and energy security.

Brent crude futures rose about 7% in early Asian trading to $96.85 a barrel, while S&P 500 futures fell roughly 0.9%, reflecting a shift toward risk aversion among investors. Currency markets also reacted, with the euro easing 0.3% to $1.1735 and the Japanese yen weakening about 0.2% to 158.95 per dollar.

The moves followed conflicting signals on diplomacy after Iran rejected new peace talks with the United States, according to state media, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would pursue negotiations while warning of further military action if Tehran refused its terms.

Market sentiment was further pressured by rising tensions at sea after the United States said it had seized an Iranian cargo vessel attempting to breach its blockade, adding to uncertainty around energy supply routes.

The renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz a key transit corridor for global oil and gas shipments — reversed sharp gains in equities and bonds recorded on Friday, when Iran’s brief reopening of the passage had fueled hopes of de-escalation and sent oil prices lower.

Analysts said markets are recalibrating expectations after what some viewed as an overly optimistic rally. Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone, said investors were unwinding positions as geopolitical risks resurfaced, though underlying expectations of continued dialogue between the two sides remain a moderating factor.

“If it is confirmed that talks will not proceed, markets could shift more decisively into risk-off mode,” Brown said, noting that much of Friday’s bond rally could reverse under sustained uncertainty.Global equities had rallied last week, with Wall Street indexes reaching record highs, supported by easing oil prices and expectations of strong corporate earnings.

Bond yields also declined, with the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield falling to its lowest level since mid-March.The U.S. dollar, which had weakened in recent sessions as safe-haven demand eased, edged higher on Monday, with the dollar index up around 0.2% in early trading.

Analysts cautioned that recent market moves suggest heightened volatility ahead. Marc Chandler of Bannockburn Capital Markets noted that the Nasdaq’s extended rally and the dollar’s recent declines indicated markets may have been pricing in a more optimistic scenario than current geopolitical conditions support.

Investors are now closely monitoring developments in the Iran conflict and any signals on diplomatic engagement, as well as upcoming corporate earnings, for direction in global markets.

Among the ships that passed through the waterway were five vessels that had last loaded cargoes from Iran, including oil products and metals, while three liquefied petroleum gas carriers were bound for destinations including China and India.A Panama-flagged tanker carrying LPG from the United Arab Emirates was headed to Indonesia, while two other tankers loaded with refined products from Bahrain were en route to Mozambique and Thailand, respectively, according to the data.

Shipping activity also included a Liberian-flagged tanker transporting around 500,000 barrels of UAE naphtha to Ulsan in South Korea, and a very large crude carrier hauling roughly 2 million barrels of Saudi oil toward Taiwan. Another vessel carrying about 780,000 barrels of Das crude from the UAE was bound for Sri Lanka.

Additional cargoes moving through the strait included fertiliser shipments from Qatar to the UAE and petroleum coke exports from Saudi Arabia to Italy.

The uptick in vessel movements comes after weeks of disruption linked to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, which had sharply curtailed tanker traffic through one of the world’s most vital energy transit routes.

The benchmark KOSPI index has recovered nearly all of last month’s 19% decline, regaining momentum after being one of the world’s top-performing major indices last year. The rebound has been supported by renewed foreign inflows, with $4.2 billion returning to equities in April after record outflows of $23.8 billion in March, according to LSEG data.

Investor interest has been driven in part by the global surge in demand for high-bandwidth memory used in data centres, benefiting major South Korean chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics. Market participants said the March correction created attractive entry points, prompting portfolio reallocations into Korean technology stocks.

“We’re cautiously optimistic, but we think it’s a megatrend,” said Isaac Thong, senior investment director for Asian equities at Aberdeen Investments, referring to the long-term growth potential of AI-linked semiconductor demand.Despite the recovery, the recent market turmoil has exposed structural vulnerabilities.

South Korea’s equity market remains heavily concentrated in a small number of AI-linked firms, amplifying swings during periods of global uncertainty. Since the onset of the Iran war, the KOSPI has experienced sharp daily fluctuations, including declines of up to 12% and gains of 9%, outpacing volatility seen in other Asian and U.S. markets.

The South Korean won has remained near 17-year lows against the U.S. dollar, increasing the cost of energy imports and complicating policy responses. Authorities face a balancing act as measures to support growth risk fuelling inflation, particularly in an economy highly dependent on imported energy.

Government efforts to address the so-called “Korea discount” through corporate governance reforms have begun to attract activist investors, aiming to narrow valuation gaps linked to longstanding concerns over transparency and shareholder rights within family-run conglomerates.While equities have been volatile, South Korea’s bond market has shown resilience.

Companies raised $74.7 billion in the first quarter, maintaining strong issuance levels, while the benchmark 10-year government bond yield has declined this month to its lowest level since February.

Prospects for sovereign debt have improved further with anticipated inclusion in FTSE’s World Government Bond Index, prompting early inflows from major institutional investors including Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund, alongside interest from global asset managers such as Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Principal Global Investors.

Analysts estimate that index inclusion could drive between $50 billion and $70 billion in passive fund inflows, reinforcing demand for Korean bonds even as equity markets remain sensitive to external shocks.

However, continued weakness in the won remains a key concern for global investors, with capital outflows and safe-haven demand for the dollar keeping the currency near levels last seen during past financial crises.

Authorities have responded with verbal interventions and strategic hedging operations by the state pension fund to stabilise the currency.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said that while March deliveries largely reflected cargoes loaded before the crisis escalated, the situation has shifted significantly. “During the month of April, nothing has been loaded,” he told reporters following meetings at the International Monetary Fund, adding that prolonged disruption would intensify market pressures.

Birol said the agency is tracking damage to energy infrastructure across the region, noting that more than a third of over 80 affected facilities have sustained severe damage. He described the situation as a major energy security challenge with global implications, warning that no country would be insulated from the fallout.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said there is an urgent need to assess the scale of economic impact stemming from infrastructure losses tied to the conflict.World Bank President Ajay Banga said the institution is preparing for multiple scenarios depending on the duration and intensity of hostilities, including expanded financial support.

The IMF has indicated it can make up to $50 billion available, while the World Bank has outlined potential financing of up to $25 billion, with the possibility of increasing total support to $60 billion over six months if conditions worsen.

The conflict, triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran beginning February 28, has disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments. Iran’s actions to impede maritime traffic, followed by a U.S. naval blockade, have heightened concerns over supply constraints and price volatility.

Although a two-week ceasefire was agreed last week to enable negotiations, talks in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough, raising uncertainty over whether the truce will hold.

International mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, have urged both sides to maintain the ceasefire, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the restoration of freedom of navigation in the region.