Severe Global Food Crisis Could Come Within the Year, Says UN Agency

Maximo Torero, Chief Economist at The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, warns that the war in Iran is choking the global supply of fertilizer and a food crisis could follow within a year.

The war with Iran may soon make it a lot tougher for people around the world to afford food. A new report published by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations details how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not only choking the global oil market. The organization’s chief economist, Maximo Torero, says it’s also disrupted the flow of fertilizers from the Gulf, which many countries depend on for agriculture.

MAXIMO TORERO: They are exported to Africa, to Asia intensively, but also to South America for Brazil, for example.

FLORIDO: He warns the fertilizer deficit will lead to a severe global food crisis within 6 to 12 months. I spoke with Torero and asked him how countries most dependent on fertilizer from the Gulf are dealing with the shortage.