Iran War May Trigger Global Food Crisis as Fertilizer Supply Risks Rise

While the Iran conflict has already pushed global oil prices higher, economists warn that the bigger long-term risk may come from disruptions in fertilizer supply rather than energy markets. Fertilizer ingredients and agricultural inputs often move through critical shipping routes in the Middle East, which are now under threat due to the conflict. Experts say that if exports of these fertilizers are disrupted, it could reduce crop production worldwide and increase global food prices. This means the economic impact of the war may go beyond energy markets and could affect agriculture and food security across many countries. The conflict has already disrupted key trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large portion of global energy and commodity shipments pass. Any prolonged disruption in this region could therefore create supply chain shocks that impact food production, inflation and global trade. Analysts believe that while oil price spikes attract immediate attention, the ripple effects on agriculture and global supply chains could prove to be an even bigger economic challenge if the conflict continues.