Smart Net-Zero

May 7, 2026 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |

Disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz are tightening global fertilizer markets and raising energy costs, with consequences that FAO Director-General warned will carry into harvests through late 2026 and into 2027. Speaking at a Ministerial Meeting of the MED9++ Countries on "Supporting Food Security and Access to Fertilizers," co-chaired by FAO, Italy and Croatia and held in Rome, he stressed that fertilizers must be applied within specific crop-cycle windows; delays force farmers to reduce or forgo application entirely, directly cutting yields. Import-dependent countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East face the greatest exposure, particularly those already dealing with food insecurity or climate shocks. FAO called for immediate action to maintain supply chains and avoid export restrictions, medium-term diversification of fertilizer and energy sources, and long-term structural investment in sustainable agriculture and innovative fertilizer solutions.