Expert warns of an impending crisis that will also hit us hard

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• The conflict in the Middle East has blocked the Strait of Hormuz as an important trade route for fertilizers.
• Around a third of the world's nitrogen fertilizer exports normally pass through this strait.
• Experts warn that delays and rising prices could even trigger a global food crisis in the long term.

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The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz jeopardizes the global trade in fertilizer and therefore potentially also the cultivation of food. Prices could rise. One expert is even warning of a food crisis.

In many countries around the world, farmers will soon start planting seeds. Nitrogen fertilizers such as urea are used for around half of the world's food production. This is produced from natural gas.

However, due to the war in the Middle East, the world's most important trade route for fertilizers is now blocked - namely the Strait of Hormuz. According to Rabobank analysts, slightly less than a third of the world's nitrogen fertilizer exports pass through this strait. The major exporters include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran.

Iran apparently blocking important sea route

These 50 kilometers could now shake the global economy

Certain other routes in the Persian Gulf, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean are also restricted. Container ships now have to divert via the Cape of Good Hope, which delays deliveries by up to two weeks.

This also increases transportation costs, as experts from Coface write. "It is only a matter of time before global food prices rise sharply," warned Swissquote analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya on Monday.

Global food crisis possible

"The blockade could trigger a global food crisis," said Charlotte Pavageau from the Zurich-based Biovision Foundation in an interview with the news agency AWP. Between 10 and 20 million tons of urea are transported via the Strait of Hormuz every year. The foundation specializes in sustainable agriculture.

"The countries that import the fertilizer usually have very low stocks," Pavageau continued. In addition, the products are imported shortly before the planting season. Every day of delay can therefore reduce yields, especially for the important staple foods of maize, wheat and rice.

According to the expert, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico are particularly affected by the current shortages. These countries are heavily dependent on commercial agriculture, which is very fertilizer-intensive. If yields fall there, Switzerland will also feel the effects: "Our food system is completely interconnected," says Pavageau.

Although Switzerland itself obtains most of its fertilizer from neighbouring European countries, much of its food and animal feed comes from abroad.

Emerging countries suffer in particular

The higher prices are a particular burden on emerging countries, which have little money available for imports. "They have to reduce fertilizer consumption, which reduces yields," said Pavageau. Food prices are rising and, in the worst case, food shortages are occurring.

The Biovision Foundation is therefore calling for countries to become less dependent on large chemical producers. According to the expert, countries could, for example, produce their own organic fertilizers.

In the long term, she believes they should also switch to more ecological cultivation that uses fewer chemicals. "The opportunities are there, but it takes time and investment."