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

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway linking the Gulf with the wider sea. It is a major shipping route for fertiliser ingredients, especially urea and sulphur, moving toward farmers worldwide. Its position makes it a vital bridge between producers, shipping networks, and countries dependent on imported farm supplies.

Before the war, about one-third of global urea shipments and nearly half of sulphur shipped by sea crossed it. These materials help produce fertiliser, so blocked shipping can delay supplies, raise prices, and disrupt planting calendars.

Since the US-Israel war on Iran began, traffic has been severely disrupted. Fertiliser now forms a “very negligible” share of cargo. The UN warns missed planting seasons could sharply reduce yields. A proposed UN centre in Oman could register vessels and oversee safe passage. Five ships daily could potentially sustain supplies to countries in urgent need.

The UN proposes a supervised shipping system to keep fertiliser moving through the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. A UN centre in Oman would register vessels and help oversee safe passage, protecting supplies before delays cut yields.

For example, the plan could allow five vessels daily to pass, even while broader US-Iran negotiations continue. UN monitors would work with Gulf ports to verify cargo, track ships, and arrange extra inspections. The mechanism could reportedly begin within seven to 10 days after both countries approve it.

Before the war, one-third of global urea shipments and nearly half of seaborne sulphur crossed Hormuz. Yet fertiliser now represents a very negligible share of passing cargo, threatening farmers in import-dependent regions. The FAO warned shortages could tighten food supplies from late 2026 into 2027.

The article does not identify a specific disagreement over activating the fertiliser plan. It says broader talks have stalled because Tehran has set conditions, while Washington insists that Iran’s nuclear programme be addressed from the beginning.

The plan is a limited humanitarian arrangement, separate from a comprehensive deal on navigation. If both governments approve it, a UN coordination centre in Oman could register ships, while monitors verify cargo and track vessels through Hormuz. The mechanism could begin within seven to 10 days, but agreement remains the missing step.

The delay matters because planting seasons are approaching. Before the conflict, about one-third of global urea shipments and nearly half of seaborne sulphur crossed the strait. The UN says five vessels daily could maintain supplies for countries in critical need, but fertiliser cargo now forms a “very negligible” share of traffic. Missing the season could sharply reduce yields and raise prices.

Before the disruption, the Strait of Hormuz carried roughly one-third of global urea shipments and nearly half of seaborne sulphur. These are major fertiliser inputs, so the waterway is important to farm production far beyond the Gulf.

South Asia provides a clear example, because most farmers there rely on imported fertiliser. Urea is the world's most widely used nitrogen fertiliser, while sulphur is another key input. Disruption blocks or delays shipments, raising costs and threatening crop yields when planting calendars are tight.

Today, fertiliser products make up a “very negligible” share of cargo moving through the strait. The UN says a five-vessels-per-day flow could supply countries in critical need, if Iran and the United States agree. Its proposed mechanism could activate within seven to ten days, but delays risk lower agricultural productivity and higher food prices.

If fertiliser misses the planting window, crop yields could fall sharply because farmers cannot easily delay their crop calendars. Lower harvests would tighten food supplies, push prices higher, and worsen food insecurity, especially in vulnerable parts of Asia and Africa.

The UN says missing the approaching season would significantly reduce agricultural productivity and increase price pressures. Before the conflict, about one-third of global urea shipments and nearly half of seaborne sulphur travelled through Hormuz. With fertiliser cargo now making up a very negligible share of traffic, farmers may plant less or produce smaller harvests.

This threat is already visible in South Asia, where many farmers depend on imported fertiliser and face scarcity and soaring costs. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization warned in May of tighter food supplies from late 2026 into 2027. Climate-hit countries would suffer most. A UN plan could move fertiliser within weeks, but it still requires US and Iranian agreement.

The article identifies no ready alternative route or transport method that can replace Hormuz fertiliser shipments at scale. Instead, the UN proposes keeping a limited number of vessels moving safely, because planting deadlines are approaching.

Its plan would place a coordination centre in Oman and UN monitors at Gulf ports. They would register ships, verify cargo, track voyages, and permit extra inspections when concerns arise. Five vessels daily could maintain supplies for countries facing critical shortages.

Before the war, about one-third of global urea shipments and nearly half of seaborne sulphur crossed Hormuz. Fertiliser now forms a “very negligible” share of cargo, while rerouting options remain unspecified. The source does not assess overland routes, alternate ports, or air transport. Any substitute would need secure capacity, suitable handling, and rapid delivery before crop calendars close. The UN warns that missing planting season would significantly reduce productivity and increase prices across affected regions.

Fertiliser is material added to soil or sprayed on plants to supply nutrients crops cannot obtain enough naturally. Nitrogen helps plants build proteins, leaves, and chlorophyll, which captures sunlight for growth. Sulphur supports proteins and enzymes, helping plants use nitrogen effectively.

Modern high-yield crops remove large amounts of these nutrients, so farmers replace them to maintain strong growth and harvests. For example, urea supplies nitrogen, while sulphur is another key agricultural input. Before the war described here, about one-third of global urea shipments and nearly half of seaborne sulphur crossed Hormuz.

Now fertiliser makes up a “very negligible” share of cargo moving through the strait, threatening supplies for import-dependent farmers. The UN warned in May that shortages could tighten food supplies from late 2026 into 2027. Keeping even five vessels per day moving could help countries in critical need, but delays threaten yields and prices.