India’s fertiliser production fell nearly a quarter in March, driven by disruptions to imported natural gas linked to the Middle East conflict. Since gas is a core input for producing urea—the key fertiliser powering much of India’s agriculture—the shock highlights how directly global energy disruptions can ripple into farm supply and food costs.
Electric vehicle demand is surging across Southeast Asia as shoppers rush to dealerships to sidestep runaway fuel prices. Since the Middle East war began, crude has climbed by roughly 50%, briefly pushing above $100 per barrel, tightening budgets at the pump. EVs are emerging as the cheaper, shielded alternative for cost-conscious buyers.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.
