UN raises alarm about Iran war causing fertiliser shortages for developing countries

Fertiliser shortages due to the blockage on the Strait of Hormuz are a pressing concern for developing countries, the head of the United Nations trade agency warned on Tuesday.

Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC) Pamela Coke-Hamilton told Reuters that, while oil and gas could be secured from other sources, “the more immediate issue is fertiliser, because that then affects food security and food security is always the basis for security.” 

Coke-Hamilton noted that a third of global urea (fertiliser) passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is being blocked by both Iran and the US, causing issues for the next harvest yields as the planting window is being missed now.