NPR World5/23/2026World1 min readUnited States
UN Economist Warns of Global Food Crisis Due to Iran War's Impact on Fertilizer
Quick Look
Maximo Torero, Chief Economist at the FAO, warns that the war in Iran is severely disrupting the global fertilizer supply, potentially leading to a food crisis within a year.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The global supply of fertilizer is crucial for agricultural productivity. Disruptions to this supply can have severe consequences for food production worldwide.
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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.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
A global food crisis will emerge within a year.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific actions are being taken to mitigate the fertilizer shortage?
- What are the projected impacts on specific regions or countries?
- How long is the disruption to the fertilizer supply expected to last?
- Are there alternative sources of fertilizer being explored or utilized?
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This article was originally published by NPR World.
