UN: The world has 6 months to prevent a major food crisis

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has issued a serious warning: the world has 6 months to prevent a major food crisis caused by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. Maximo Torero, chief economist of the FAO, emphasized the need to increase the absorption capacity of countries and to enhance their resilience to blockages.

Decisions made now by farmers and governments regarding fertilizers and crops will influence food prices in the near future. The impact of the blockage is already visible, with a rising FAO food price index. Poor countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America are the most vulnerable, as they depend on fertilizers from the Middle East.

The European Commission has proposed an action plan to respond to the fertilizer crisis, but it will not eliminate tariffs on imports from countries with weaker regulations. Gas prices have risen, affecting the costs of fertilizers, which will lead to higher food prices.