{"id":21727,"date":"2026-05-08T22:39:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T19:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/?p=21727"},"modified":"2026-05-08T22:39:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T19:09:23","slug":"middle-east-crisis-fao-warns-of-fertiliser-supply-shortages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/?p=21727&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Middle East Crisis: FAO Warns of Fertiliser Supply Shortages"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Middle East Crisis: FAO Warns of Fertiliser Supply Shortages<\/h1>\n

Global food security under threat as Strait of Hormuz disruptions impact vital agricultural inputs.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/header>\n

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The head of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued a stark warning regarding the severe implications of fertiliser shortages, primarily stemming from ongoing disruptions in the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor. These disruptions are projected to lead to reduced harvests and a significant squeeze on global food supplies over the next two years.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting of the MED9++ Countries this week, FAO Director General Qu Dongyu underscored the gravity of the situation. He stated that the scarcity of fertilisers would inevitably result in lower crop yields, exacerbating food supply pressures from the latter half of this year and extending into 2027.<\/p>\n

“We meet at a moment of profound strain,” Qu remarked. “This is not only a geopolitical crisis, but also a disruption at the core of the global agri-food system.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Qu elaborated that the shipping impediments through the Strait of Hormuz are not only constricting fertiliser markets but also driving up energy prices. This dual impact, he warned, could have a potentially severe ripple effect on the cost of food and overall agricultural production worldwide.<\/p>\n

He emphasized the time-sensitive nature of fertiliser application in the crop cycle. “If they do not arrive on time, yields are reduced, regardless of what happens later,” he explained. Even a delay of a few weeks forces farmers to either reduce their fertiliser usage or cease it entirely, with current impacts expected to carry through to future harvests, further curtailing food supply later this year and in 2027.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Vulnerable Nations and Rising Food Prices<\/h2>\n

The FAO highlighted that countries most exposed to this crisis are those heavily reliant on exports, particularly nations in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. The warning is especially dire for “those already facing acute food insecurity, economic fragility or climate-related shocks.” However, Director-General Dongyu stressed that no country is immune to this escalating problem.<\/p>\n

Adding to the concerns, global food commodity prices saw another increase in April. According to figures released today (8 May), the FAO Food Price Index averaged 130.7 points in April, marking a 1.6% rise from March and the third consecutive monthly increase.<\/p>\n

Price indices for essential commodities like vegetable oils, meat, and cereals all registered increases “to varying degrees.” While these were partially offset by dips in sugar and dairy products, the overall trend remains upward.<\/p>\n

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  • Vegetable Oil:<\/strong> The price index reached an average of 193.9 points last month, a 5.9% increase on March and the highest level since July 2022.<\/li>\n
  • Meat:<\/strong> The FAO’s index for meat prices hit a record high in April, averaging 129.4 points, a 1.2% rise on March, and a 6.4% increase year-on-year. This surge “reflected higher prices across all meat categories” with the exception of ovine meat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n
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    Long-Term Solutions and Urgent Actions<\/h2>\n

    At the MED9++ Countries meeting, Qu Dongyu outlined crucial recommendations for both immediate and long-term action. In the short term, he advocated for facilitating alternative trade routes to maintain supply chain functionality and urged against export restrictions.<\/p>\n

    Looking ahead, he underscored the necessity for “structural transformation” to foster less dependence on concentrated supply routes and fossil fuel-based inputs, promoting a more resilient and sustainable global agri-food system.<\/p>\n

    This latest warning follows an April alert from the FAO, which cautioned that prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a global agri-food crisis unless vessels carrying vital farm inputs could swiftly resume transit. The agency previously noted that 20-45% of exports of key agri-food inputs rely on shipping through this critical corridor.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n