UN Agency Warns Iran War Fertilizer Shortages Threaten Developing World Food Security
The head of the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC), Pamela Coke-Hamilton, warned that fertilizer shortages resulting from the ongoing war in Iran pose a critical threat to food security in developing nations. With approximately one-third of global urea supplies typically transiting the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, agricultural timelines for upcoming harvests are being severely disrupted. While rising oil and gas prices offer temporary revenue boosts for some producers, the ITC notes these gains are short-lived as most affected countries remain net importers of refined products. The shortage is expected to reduce fertilizer usage and crop yields, particularly in rain-dependent regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Thailand, and Sri Lanka face high dependence on Gulf nitrogen fertilizers. To mitigate the crisis, the UN is pursuing diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage for shipments, while alternative suppliers like Egypt and Algeria could potentially fill part of the supply gap. The agency emphasizes that immediate food security concerns outweigh energy price fluctuations, as stability relies heavily on consistent agricultural output.
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UN Agency Warns Iran War Fertilizer Shortages Threaten Developing World Food Security
The head of the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC), Pamela Coke-Hamilton, warned that fertilizer shortages resulting from the ongoing war in Iran pose a critical threat to food security in developing nations. With approximately one-third of global urea supplies typically transiting the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, agricultural timelines for upcoming harvests are being severely disrupted. While rising oil and gas prices offer temporary revenue boosts for some producers, the ITC notes these gains are short-lived as most affected countries remain net importers of refined products. The shortage is expected to reduce fertilizer usage and crop yields, particularly in rain-dependent regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Thailand, and Sri Lanka face high dependence on Gulf nitrogen fertilizers. To mitigate the crisis, the UN is pursuing diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage for shipments, while alternative suppliers like Egypt and Algeria could potentially fill part of the supply gap. The agency emphasizes that immediate food security concerns outweigh energy price fluctuations, as stability relies heavily on consistent agricultural output.
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