Strait of Hormuz closure threatens to push 45 million more people into hunger
Updated
Updated · Democracy Now! · Apr 23
Strait of Hormuz closure threatens to push 45 million more people into hunger
9 articles · Updated · Democracy Now! · Apr 23
The UN warns that the ongoing closure has halted tanker traffic for nearly two months, disrupting fertilizer, oil, and gas shipments vital to global agriculture.
Countries most at risk include India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, and Egypt, with the Global South facing compounded crises from rising fuel prices, fertilizer shortages, climate, and debt.
UN agencies have established a task force to address the crisis, as experts warn that even a swift reopening may not avert food inflation and supply shocks, especially for vulnerable developing nations.
Beyond food and fuel, what critical industries will this crisis cripple next?
How will indebted nations escape the 'perfect storm' of debt and hunger?
Are resilient new supply routes already making the Hormuz closure obsolete?
Will this conflict permanently redraw the map of global trade and energy?
Is this the crisis that finally ends agriculture's addiction to fossil fuels?
The 2026 Hormuz Blockade’s Ripple Effects: Fertilizer Shortages, Soaring Food Prices, and Humanitarian Chaos
Overview
In April 2026, the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian oil exports, prompting Iran to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. This dual blockade nearly stopped tanker traffic, causing oil prices to surge above $100 per barrel and fertilizer prices to skyrocket due to crippled production in Qatar and Iran. The resulting fertilizer shortage and energy price hikes severely impacted food production, especially in Africa and South Asia, threatening an additional 45 million people with hunger by mid-2026. Rising transport costs and disrupted humanitarian aid worsened the crisis. Global responses included diplomatic talks and alternative trade routes, but prolonged disruptions and a potential super El Niño risk deepening food insecurity through 2027 and beyond.