All eyes are on Russia and Ukraine right now, wondering who will attack first. Whether or not this turns into a hot war (and I really, really hope it does not), the Russians have implemented a policy that will hit every American. There is now a Russian fertilizer export ban through April 1 in an attempt to tackle inflation, as well as to increase control over their own domestic crops.

This will affect every part of the American economy, from the food we eat to how we fill up our gas tanks. Understanding why involves fitting many different pieces together, but trying to understand what's happening now will prepare us for what is likely to happen this growing season.

Where does our fertilizer come from?

The United States is a net importer when it comes to fertilizer. We are known as the "World's Breadbasket," because of our productive Corn Belt, but it wouldn't be nearly so productive without our reliance on fertilizers from other countries. For example, in September 2021, the United States exported $360 million worth of fertilizers, and imported $659 million worth. This means that, for one month, we've got a negative trade balance of $299 million worth of fertilizer. We need that $299 million worth of fertilizer for our farms to produce the way we expect them to.

And from whom do we import much of our fertilizer? Russia. Why would the Russians restrict their exports like that?