FAO Warns of Potential Global Food Crisis Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruption
The Food and Agriculture Organization cautions that continued blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a global food crisis due to disruptions in energy and fertilizer shipments.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued a warning that a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could precipitate a global food crisis. The blockage is currently impeding shipments of essential agricultural inputs, including fertilizers and energy resources, vital for global food production.
FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "The clock is ticking." He highlighted that poorer nations are particularly vulnerable, as delays in accessing crucial inputs could swiftly lead to reduced agricultural output, heightened inflation, and decelerated global economic growth.
David Laborde, Director of FAO's Agrifood Economics Division, noted that while current food prices remain stable due to existing stockpiles, continued obstruction of the strait could result in increased commodity and retail prices later this year and into 2027.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical conduit for global trade, with approximately 20 to 45 percent of key agrifood inputs, including nearly half of the world's traded urea—a widely used fertilizer—transiting through this waterway. Recent disruptions have already led to the shutdown or reduced output of fertilizer plants reliant on natural gas, a primary component in fertilizer production.
The current disruption stems from heightened tensions in the Middle East, following the US-Israel conflict with Iran that began on February 28, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran has significantly restricted traffic through the strait, leading to a global energy crisis and substantial increases in oil and gas prices.
Over the weekend, negotiations between Iranian and US representatives aimed at establishing a permanent ceasefire concluded without agreement. Subsequently, US President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of the strait, instructing the navy to interdict ships in international waters that had paid Iran a toll to traverse the strait. The US military further stated it would block all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, including those in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
FAO officials stress the necessity of resuming vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz to avert a potential global food catastrophe. They urge all parties involved to prioritize diplomatic solutions to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential agricultural inputs and energy resources.
