Jorge Moreira da Silva, a senior United Nations official, has issued a stark warning about a potential food security crisis in parts of Asia and Africa. The crisis looms unless Iran and the United States swiftly agree on a UN-backed initiative to facilitate the movement of fertiliser through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime passage.
Speaking on Wednesday during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Moreira da Silva emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement within weeks. The planting season is fast approaching, and any delay could severely impact agricultural productivity. “If we miss that planting season, the productivity of agriculture would significantly drop and the impact on prices will significantly increase, ” he noted.
The proposed plan involves establishing a UN-staffed coordination centre in Oman. This centre would be responsible for registering vessels and ensuring their safe passage through the Strait, which is vital for the global flow of key fertiliser inputs. The disruption in the Strait, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, has already affected the supply of urea and seaborne sulphur, essential components for fertilisers.
Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz was a major conduit for these materials, with about a third of global urea shipments and nearly half of seaborne sulphur passing through. However, the current crisis has led to a significant reduction in fertiliser cargo, with only a negligible amount moving through the waterway, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute.
The UN's fertiliser mechanism, designed in March, could be operational within seven to 10 days if both Iran and the US agree. This mechanism would involve UN monitors working alongside local authorities at Gulf ports to verify cargo loading. Ships would be tracked during transit, and additional inspections could be conducted if there are concerns about a vessel or its cargo.
Moreira da Silva did not specify the reasons for the lack of agreement between the US and Iran. However, he mentioned that the passage of just five vessels per day through the Strait could maintain fertiliser supplies to countries in dire need. The mechanism could also complement ongoing negotiations for a broader deal to restore navigation freedom in the Strait.
Efforts to reopen the Strait have been hampered by Tehran's conditions and Washington's focus on addressing Iran's nuclear program. Despite these challenges, Moreira da Silva urged both nations to allow the UN to proceed with its plan while broader discussions continue. “What we are telling them is, while you continue your discussions towards a comprehensive deal, let us work, let us do our job, ” he stated.
The potential fertiliser shortage is a growing concern for global food supplies. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization warned in May that scarcity could tighten food supplies from late 2026 into 2027, particularly affecting countries already grappling with climate or other crises. In South Asia, where reliance on imported fertiliser is high, farmers are already feeling the pinch due to soaring costs and limited availability.
On the same day Moreira da Silva issued his warning, farmers in Spain took to the streets to protest against rising production costs, driven by high oil and fertiliser prices. This protest underscores the broader impact of the fertiliser supply disruption, affecting agricultural sectors worldwide.
