The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, June 20, edition that when bad things happen in the world, think fertilizer. The Globe's David Berman writes that since April Nutrien shares have soared from about $65 to close Thursday in Toronto at $84.39. Nutrien became a hot stock after Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, soaring to over $147. Though well off those peaks, the stock is moving again. Much of this gain followed corporate cost savings, higher potash prices and upbeat spring planting activity. The price of corn, a key indicator of where fertilizer prices are headed, rallied about 25 per cent from October to February. Israel's surprise attack, however, against Iran, which began June 13 and has intensified this week with potential U.S. involvement, has added a geopolitical reason to the mix. CRU International fertilizer head Chris Lawson says, "In terms of how big a deal this is, this is enormous." Iran has closed its seven ammonia and urea production facilities, while Israel has halted natural gas exports, forcing Egypt to stop its urea production. A potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could further constrain supply. Mr. Berman says think of Nutrien as a kind of safe-haven play.