UN official warns of looming food crisis as Hormuz fertiliser plan stalls

What the report says

A senior United Nations official has warned that delays to a proposed UN-backed fertiliser transit arrangement through the Strait of Hormuz could deepen food insecurity in parts of Asia and Africa. The warning was made by UN Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva, who said the plan should be approved quickly as planting season approaches and that missing that window could lower agricultural productivity and push up prices.

The proposal, as described by Al Jazeera, would create a UN-staffed coordination centre in Oman to register vessels, monitor shipments and help ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway. The outlet said the mechanism could be activated within days if Iran and the United States agree, but negotiations have stalled. The article said discussions have been complicated by Tehran’s conditions and Washington’s push to address Iran’s nuclear programme at the outset.

Al Jazeera reported that traffic through the strait has been heavily affected since the US-Israel war on Iran began, disrupting exports of urea and sulphur, both important fertiliser inputs. The story cited concern from the International Food Policy Research Institute that fertiliser cargoes have become only a very small share of traffic passing through the passage.

The issue matters because many farmers rely on tightly timed planting cycles, and even short delays can reduce yields. The UN official’s comments also come amid broader warnings from the Food and Agriculture Organization that fertiliser shortages could tighten global food supplies later in 2026 and into 2027, especially in countries already facing climate or economic stress.