May 2026, Rome: The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, QU Dongyu, on Thursday warned that the global fertilizer shortage triggered by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could reduce crop yields and tighten food supplies in the second half of 2026 and into 2027.
He made the remarks during the Ministerial Meeting of the MED9++ Countries on “Supporting Food Security and Access to Fertilizers,” co-chaired by FAO, Italy and Croatia in Rome.
Addressing ministers and senior representatives, the FAO Director-General said the current situation extends beyond geopolitical tensions and is increasingly affecting global food production, agricultural inputs, trade flows and access to food.
“We meet at a moment of profound strain,” said QU Dongyu. “This is not only a geopolitical crisis, but also a disruption at the core of the global agrifood system.”
The Director-General underlined the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a major corridor for the global movement of oil, liquefied natural gas, sulphur and fertilizers. According to him, disruptions in maritime transport through the route are already tightening fertilizer supplies and increasing energy costs, creating risks for agricultural production and food prices worldwide.
“Agriculture operates within a crop calendar that cannot be postponed,” he said. “Fertilizers must be applied at specific moments in the crop cycle. If they do not arrive on time, yields are reduced, regardless of what happens later.”
QU Dongyu noted that even delays of a few weeks can force farmers to reduce fertilizer application or skip it entirely. He added that the current disruptions are expected to affect upcoming harvests, leading to tighter food supplies during late 2026 and 2027.
The Director-General said the situation is particularly concerning as it coincides with key planting and fertilization periods in several major agricultural regions.
Countries dependent on fertilizer imports in Africa, Asia and parts of the Middle East are among the most vulnerable, especially those already dealing with food insecurity, economic challenges or climate-related stresses.
Highlighting the need for coordinated global action, QU Dongyu outlined three priority areas.
In the short term, he stressed the need to keep supply chains operational by facilitating alternative trade routes, avoiding export restrictions, ensuring farmers’ access to agricultural inputs and protecting humanitarian supply channels.
For the medium term, he called for stronger regional coordination, diversification of fertilizer and energy sources, and targeted assistance for vulnerable economies.
In the long term, the FAO Director-General emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on concentrated supply routes and fossil fuel-based agricultural inputs. He pointed to investments in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, innovative fertilizer technologies, and stronger storage and logistics systems as key areas for future resilience.
QU Dongyu also welcomed the MED9++ initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on fertilizer access and food security. He said the initiative aligns with FAO’s Strategic Framework and its vision of the Four Betters — Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life — leaving no one behind.
He reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to providing technical analysis, policy support and coordination to help countries address the evolving challenges facing global agrifood systems.
The Ministerial Meeting of the MED9++ Countries on “Supporting Food Security and Access to Fertilizers” brought together ministers and senior representatives from more than 40 Mediterranean and partner countries and organizations. Discussions focused on the impact of disruptions in global energy, fertilizer and food supply chains, along with measures to strengthen regional cooperation on food security and agrifood system resilience.
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