Global food supply under threat as Iran war disrupts fertiliser, warns industry chief 

A fertiliser industry leader warns that conflict involving Iran could severely disrupt global fertiliser supplies, a key input for agriculture. Reduced availability and rising costs may limit farmers’ ability to grow crops, putting billions of meals at risk worldwide. The impact would be felt most in import-dependent and developing regions, where food security is already fragile, potentially driving higher prices, shortages, and increased hunger if the situation persists.

A senior executive at one of the world’s largest fertilizer companies is warning that the conflict involving Iran could have sweeping consequences for global food production, potentially eliminating billions of meals each week and hitting poorer nations the hardest.

Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of Yara, said disruptions in the Gulf particularly shipping constraints through the Strait of Hormuz are already limiting the flow of key fertilizer ingredients. That bottleneck is beginning to ripple across global agriculture, where fertilizers are essential for maintaining crop yields.

According to Holsether, as much as half a million tons of nitrogen fertilizer production has already been lost. The consequences could be severe: without adequate fertilizer, some crops may see yields drop by up to 50% in a single growing season. He estimates that the shortfall could translate into as many as 10 billion fewer meals produced worldwide every week.

The impact will not be evenly distributed. Regions that depend heavily on imported fertilizers especially parts of Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America are expected to feel the effects first and most acutely. In areas where farmers already use limited fertilizer, the drop in output could be even more dramatic.

While the United Kingdom and other developed nations are unlikely to face outright food shortages, consumers may soon see rising grocery bills as higher production costs filter through the supply chain. Analysts say the full effect will take months to materialize, as planting and harvest cycles vary across regions.

Experts warn that if the conflict drags on, the situation could escalate into a global food bidding war, with wealthier countries outcompeting poorer ones for limited supplies. That dynamic, Holsether cautioned, would deepen inequality and worsen hunger in vulnerable regions.

The United Nations estimates that roughly one-third of the world’s fertilizer supply typically moves through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring how critical the route is to global food systems. Prices for fertilizers have already surged sharply since the conflict began, adding to financial pressure on farmers who are also dealing with rising fuel and operational costs.

Food security experts say the long-term risks are mounting. If shortages persist, key staples such as rice could be affected in the coming months, particularly in Asia. The World Food Programme has warned that the broader fallout could push tens of millions more people into acute hunger by 2026.

For now, the warning signs are clear: disruptions in fertilizer supply today could translate into reduced harvests tomorrow and a more fragile global food system in the months ahead.

For questions or comments write to contactus@bostonbrandmedia.com

Source: BBC

‍