The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could create a serious global food security crisis by disrupting the supply of fertilizers, fuel, and agricultural inputs. Speaking at the 180th Session of the FAO Council on 28 April 2026, Director-General Qu Dongyu described the situation as a major threat to global agrifood systems, especially for countries heavily dependent on imported fertilizers and energy.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, carrying nearly one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade along with large volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fertilizers. Following recent geopolitical escalation, tanker traffic through the route has reportedly fallen by more than 90%, severely disrupting the movement of key agricultural inputs.
This has triggered sharp price increases in fertilizer markets worldwide. Granular urea prices rose by nearly 60% in Brazil and 52% in the United States within weeks, while Middle Eastern urea prices also jumped sharply. FAO estimates that between 1.5 and 3 million tonnes of fertilizer trade per month are currently delayed, creating serious risks for farmers preparing for sowing seasons.
The timing is especially critical because fertilizer use must match narrow crop calendar windows. If fertilizers do not reach farms during planting periods, crop yields can decline permanently for the entire season. Countries such as Bangladesh, which imports over 53% of its fertilizer from Gulf countries, are particularly vulnerable to these supply disruptions.
The FAO has responded by activating real-time supply chain surveillance and a Fertilizer Access Program to prioritise shipments to low-income, landlocked developing nations.
Key Statistical and Economic Benchmarks
Traffic Collapse: Tanker movement through the Strait has dropped by over 90%.
Fertilizer Price Surge: Middle Eastern urea prices up 20% in one week; global peaks at 60%.
Supply Delay: 1.5 to 3 million tons of fertilizer per month are currently stalled.
Gulf Dependency: Gulf nations rely on imports for 70% to 90% of their staple food supply.
Regional Crisis: 17 million people in Yemen and 874,000 in Lebanon face acute food insecurity.
Proposed Intervention: A 90-day immediate action plan focusing on alternative routes and financial support for farmers.
What is the "Crop Calendar Window"?
The crop calendar window is the specific period during which farmers must plant seeds and apply fertilizers to ensure optimal growth. Unlike other industries, agriculture is governed by biological timelines and seasonal weather. If fertilizers are delayed by even 2-3 weeks during the "planting window," the crop may not develop a strong root system or may fail to mature before the season ends.
This leads to permanent yield loss, meaning that even if fertilizer arrives later, the damage to the food supply for that year cannot be reversed.
Policy Relevance
Threatens Fertilizer Subsidy Stability: With India being a massive importer of urea and potassic fertilizers, a 60% global price surge could exponentially increase the government's fertilizer subsidy bill, straining the fiscal deficit.
Impact on Remittance Economy: The FAO highlights lower remittance flows as a key risk. Millions of Indian workers in the Gulf may face economic pressure, potentially reducing the $100 billion+ annual remittances that support rural households in Kerala, UP, and Bihar.
Inflationary Pressure on Food: Higher energy prices (oil/LNG) blocked in the Strait will increase the cost of cold storage and logistics, leading to domestic food price inflation during the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Necessitates Strategic Reserves: The crisis validates the need for India to accelerate its Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) and develop a "Strategic Fertilizer Reserve" to insulate domestic farmers from maritime blockades.
Accelerates Alternative Sourcing: India may need to fast-track trade agreements with alternative fertilizer suppliers in North Africa (Morocco/Egypt) and Canada to bypass the Hormuz bottleneck.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of External Affairs collaborate to create a 'Fertilizer Green Channel' via the IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) to bypass the Strait of Hormuz?
Follow The Full News Here: FAO Newsroom: Strait of Hormuz Crisis and Global Food Security