UN official warns of looming food crisis as Hormuz fertiliser plan stalls
News Source
β’Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:08:09 +0000
π° What Happened
A senior UN official warned that parts of Asia and Africa could face a food crisis. He said Iran and the United States must agree on a plan to move fertiliser through the Strait of Hormuz. The warning came on Wednesday during IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok.
The plan would set up a UN-run centre in Oman. It would register ships and guide them safely through the waterway. UN official Jorge Moreira da Silva said the deal is needed within weeks, before planting season starts.
π The Backstory
Fertiliser is needed to grow crops. Before the war, about a third of the world's urea and nearly half of its sulphur moved through the Strait of Hormuz. Both are key fertiliser ingredients.
Fighting between the US, Israel and Iran has badly slowed traffic in the strait. Very little fertiliser is getting through now. Farmers follow strict planting calendars, so even small delays can cut harvests.
π― Why It Matters
Less fertiliser means smaller harvests and higher food prices. That hits poorer families hardest, especially in Asia and Africa.
A senior UN official warned that parts of Asia and Africa could face a food crisis. He said Iran and the United States must agree on a plan to move fertiliser through the Strait of Hormuz. The warning came on Wednesday during IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok.
The plan would set up a UN-run centre in Oman. It would register ships and guide them safely through the waterway. UN official Jorge Moreira da Silva said the deal is needed within weeks, before planting season starts.
Fertiliser is needed to grow crops. Before the war, about a third of the world's urea and nearly half of its sulphur moved through the Strait of Hormuz. Both are key fertiliser ingredients.
Fighting between the US, Israel and Iran has badly slowed traffic in the strait. Very little fertiliser is getting through now. Farmers follow strict planting calendars, so even small delays can cut harvests.
Less fertiliser means smaller harvests and higher food prices. That hits poorer families hardest, especially in Asia and Africa.