Disruption to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz is exacerbating the risk of a global food shock, as higher gas prices squeeze fertilizer production and other sectors outbid agricultural producers for key inputs and logistics.
With hunger looming, life-saving fertilizer shipments cannot wait, Head of UN task force says. In normal times, one third of global fertilizer trade – along with 35 per cent of crude oil and a fifth of liquified natural gas – passes through the maritime corridor located south of Iran, but tanker traffic has essentially come to a standstill.
In response, UN Chief Antonio Guterres has established a Task Force to facilitate the safe passage of fertilizers and related raw materials for humanitarian purposes.
It is headed by Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services, which provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services across the world.
“We cannot afford to wait,” he said, affirming that the risk of a major food crisis is real. “We need the support and the cooperation of all stakeholders to make this mechanism a success”, he added.
“If we don’t get some solution immediately, the crisis will be very significant and severe, particularly for the poorest countries and for the poorest citizens”, warned the UN official.
The planting season has already started, and in most countries in Africa it will end in May. “So, if we don’t get some solution immediately, the food crisis will be very significant and severe, particularly for the poorest countries and for the poorest citizens”, underlined Head of the UN Task force.
