Disruption to fuel and fertilizer supplies caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war is expected to impact crop yields, warned the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). More than 30 million people could be pushed back into poverty as a result of the conflict, leading to increased food insecurity globally. The ongoing blocking of cargo vessels through the strait has already reduced agricultural productivity and is projected to further affect crop yields later this year, according to UNDP chief Alexander De Croo.
Why It Matters
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting disruption to fuel and fertilizer supplies have serious implications for global food security. With a significant portion of the world’s fertilizer passing through the strait, agricultural productivity is at risk, potentially leading to a global food “catastrophe.” The conflict in the Middle East is not only straining humanitarian efforts but also threatening to push millions of people into poverty, highlighting the interconnectedness of geopolitical events and their impact on vulnerable populations.
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