NEW YORK: The United Nations (UN) has warned of a looming global food crisis if disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues, highlighting the critical role of the route in global energy and agricultural supply chains.
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Maximo Torero, chief economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization, said time is running out as planting seasons approach in several countries, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Kenya, Brazil and Thailand.
He noted that around 35 per cent of the world’s oil, 20 per cent of natural gas, and 20 to 30 per cent of global fertiliser supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Any prolonged blockage would severely disrupt these flows, creating ripple effects across global agriculture.
Torero explained that farmers rely heavily on timely fertiliser supply to sow and cultivate crops. A shortage would not only reduce the area under cultivation but also lower crop yields due to insufficient nutrient input. This, in turn, could lead to widespread food shortages.
He warned that even if the strait reopens within days, it could take up to three months to restore normal flows of oil, gas, and fertilisers. The resulting disruption could take several additional months to fully recover from, prolonging the impact on global food systems.
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The warning underscores the fragile nature of interconnected global supply chains, where disruptions in a single strategic corridor can trigger widespread economic and humanitarian challenges worldwide.