Experts Warn Hormuz Closure Has Caused Irreversible Damage to Global Food Production
The United Nations has warned that restoring normal food production will be a long and difficult process, even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens immediately. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) highlights that significant damage has already occurred due to disrupted fertilizer supplies. FAO chief economist Maximo Torero stated that while reopening would have positive effects, the impact would remain incomplete and uneven, with infrastructure damage not fully reversible in the short term. Currently, approximately 1.9 million tonnes of fertilizer are trapped on 41 vessels, representing 12 percent of all produce shipped through the strait in 2024. With one-third of urea trade blocked, global fertilizer prices are forecast to rise by 15-20 percent in the first half of 2026. Countries heavily reliant on Gulf fertilizers, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkey, face lower harvest yields as planting seasons are missed. In response to surging prices driven by the conflict, India has increased farming fertilizer subsidies by 11 percent compared to the previous year.
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Experts Warn Hormuz Closure Has Caused Irreversible Damage to Global Food Production
The United Nations has warned that restoring normal food production will be a long and difficult process, even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens immediately. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) highlights that significant damage has already occurred due to disrupted fertilizer supplies. FAO chief economist Maximo Torero stated that while reopening would have positive effects, the impact would remain incomplete and uneven, with infrastructure damage not fully reversible in the short term. Currently, approximately 1.9 million tonnes of fertilizer are trapped on 41 vessels, representing 12 percent of all produce shipped through the strait in 2024. With one-third of urea trade blocked, global fertilizer prices are forecast to rise by 15-20 percent in the first half of 2026. Countries heavily reliant on Gulf fertilizers, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkey, face lower harvest yields as planting seasons are missed. In response to surging prices driven by the conflict, India has increased farming fertilizer subsidies by 11 percent compared to the previous year.
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