World Bank forecasts 24% surge in energy prices in 2026 due to Middle East war

12 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 28

The World Bank projects Brent crude oil to average $86 per barrel in 2026, with current futures trading at $109 per barrel amid ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
Fertilizer prices are expected to rise 31%, fueling food supply pressures and threatening farmers' incomes and crop yields, while developing economies face inflation of up to 5.8% if the war persists.
The conflict has triggered the largest oil supply shock on record, with commodity prices up 16% and growth in developing economies projected to slow to 3.6%, hitting the poorest countries hardest.

With oil forecasts ranging from $60 to $150, what single factor will determine the market's true direction this year?

Beyond oil, which lesser-known commodity disruption from this conflict poses the biggest hidden threat to the global economy?

Could surging gold prices signal a permanent shift away from the traditional post-Cold War financial order?

Will this massive energy shock be the catalyst that finally accelerates the world's transition to renewable energy sources?

How are central banks planning to fight stagflation as war drives up inflation and slows global economic growth?

As the Iran war chokes global supply, is China's strategic oil reserve a model for other nations to follow?