Strait of Hormuz: Hunger looming | Fertilizer shipments cannot wait

As the Persian Gulf crisis continues, the clock is ticking for farmers who rely on fertilizer shipped via the Strait of Hormuz – and millions worldwide who depend on their crops, particularly in vulnerable countries such as war-torn Sudan.

In normal times, one third of global fertilizer trade passes through the maritime corridor located south of Iran, but tanker traffic has essentially come to a standstill.

In response, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres established a task force to facilitate the safe passage of fertilizers and related raw materials for humanitarian purposes.