FT: A war in Iran could trigger a global food crisis

The war that has flared up in the Middle East can provoke not only an energy crisis, but also a global food crisis due to a reduction in fertilizer supplies.

It is reported by the Financial Times with reference to experts. According to their estimates, in addition to oil, 26% of the total world trade in nitrogen fertilizers passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

It follows from the publication that a shortage of fertilizers can seriously affect food production on several continents at once. The reason was interruptions in the supply of carbamide, the most common nitrogen fertilizer in the world.

According to the analytical company Kpler, out of 2.1 million tons of urea, almost half did not enter the market. More than 1.1 million tons of fertilizers have now accumulated in The Persian Gulf against the background of the escalation of the conflict.

The situation is complicated by rising prices for natural gas, which is used to produce nitrogen fertilizers from ammonia. After the outbreak of war in the Middle East, the cost of gas has risen sharply, which is why some factories in Asia have already been forced to suspend production.

FT notes that the Middle East plays a key role in the global supply of fertilizers and energy. About a third of the world's urea exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which was previously blocked by Iran. Against the background of what is happening, the price of urea has increased by more than 40% since the beginning of the conflict.

At the same time, there are no signs yet that the military conflict around Iran may end in the foreseeable future.

Earlier, EADaily reported that the Pentagon is sending additional units of Marines and warships to the Middle East.