MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is moving to secure fertilizer supplies from major global producers as oil-driven price increases threaten farm output in the coming months.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government has initiated talks with key suppliers, including China and Russia, to ensure stable deliveries of fertilizers.

Tiu Laurel said he also plans to engage India and Belarus as part of efforts to diversify supply sources.

The DA chief made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking to reporters at the Agora Market, where he joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a market inspection. He added that Chinese officials have assured continued agricultural cooperation following his meeting with Beijing’s ambassador.

The move comes amid rising global fertilizer prices triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East, including recent strikes involving the United States and Israel against Iran, and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz—a key route for global oil shipments. The surge in oil prices has driven up the cost of petroleum-based fertilizers.

Tiu Laurel warned that urea prices could reach as high as $800 per metric ton if tensions worsen. While the Philippines has secured more than 80 percent of its fertilizer requirements through September, he noted that delivery risks remain due to volatile prices. Suppliers that fail to meet commitments may face permanent blacklisting, he added.

Beyond securing supply, the DA is also exploring ways to reduce reliance on fertilizers. China has offered to share farming techniques that lower fertilizer use without affecting yields, an approach Tiu Laurel described as “food diplomacy.”

The agency is also reviewing the supply outlook for other key commodities and preparing contingency measures, including boosting local production and refining import strategies.

Despite global pressures, Tiu Laurel said domestic food supply remains sufficient, although prices may rise due to higher logistics and transport costs. To mitigate the impact, the government has intensified market monitoring and rolled out targeted assistance, including fuel subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk.

Meanwhile, the government is finalizing a legal review of a proposed P50 per kilo price cap on imported rice to curb profiteering. Locally produced rice will be exempted to protect farmgate prices and encourage continued production, he said.