Iran war puts global food production at risk, says fertiliser boss

Global food production is being threatened by an interruption to the supply of fertiliser, according to the boss of one of the world's biggest fertiliser producers. Fertiliser is something that farmers put on fields to help plants grow.

When the United States and Israel struck Iran on 28 February, the Strait of Hormuz, which is a narrow waterway between Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, effectively shut down. About one-third of the world's fertiliser trade normally passes through the strait.

Less fertiliser means less food is grown, and if there is less food available, then prices rise.

The UN World Food Programme estimates that the Middle East conflict could cause 45 million additional people to experience severe hunger in 2026.

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