UN Warns Hormuz Shipping Breakdown Could Trigger Food Crisis as Fertilizer Flows Remain Near Zero

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A United Nations plan to create a protected fertilizer corridor through the Strait of Hormuz remains stalled as the next major planting window approaches, raising concern that a maritime disruption that began as an energy crisis could become an agricultural supply shock. Before the war, Hormuz handled roughly one-third of globally traded urea and nearly half of seaborne sulfur, while fertilizer shipments from Gulf producers have remained largely halted for more than six months. UN Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva says an agreed mechanism could be activated within 7 to 10 days and that passage of only five fertilizer vessels per day could maintain supplies to countries in critical need. The warning has become more immediate: IFAD President Alvaro Lario said on October 15 that reduced fertilizer use and more cautious planting are already appearing in harvest decisions, while agricultural commodity prices increased about 13% during the third quarter.