What did the FOA warn about fertiliser supplies?

FAO warning: shipping disruption could cut harvests for two years

The FAO is warning that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—where major shipping lanes run—could trigger fertiliser shortages. Because fertilizers are a key input for crop yields, the organization links the risk to reduced harvests and broader food-supply pressure.

What the warning centers on

• Fertiliser shortages driven by shipping disruption
• Lower harvests expected as a downstream effect
• A two-year window: the shortage’s impact on food supply is expected to last through the next two years

Why it matters for food prices and availability

When fertiliser supply tightens, farmers may face fewer inputs or higher costs, which can translate into lower yields and less consistent supply. Even without immediate evidence on specific crops in the story, the direction is clear: reduced fertiliser availability is a known bottleneck for agricultural production.

For grocery shoppers, these kinds of disruptions can eventually show up as volatility in the cost or availability of food—particularly items that rely on grain and feed crops.

Bottom line

The warning is less about one product and more about a systemic agricultural input problem. If transport chokepoints disrupt fertiliser flows, the FAO expects harvest impacts and reduced food supply over the following two years.