The ongoing Iran war is threatening food security in Africa, with dire implications for the continent’s most vulnerable populations. As the conflict escalates, experts warn that rising fertiliser prices could trigger food shortages across sub-Saharan Africa.
Since the onset of the war, prices for urea—a vital fertiliser component—have surged between 60% and 70%. This steep increase places immense pressure on farmers in countries like Ethiopia and Kenya, where reliance on Middle Eastern nitrogenous fertilisers is substantial. The effects are already palpable; agricultural imports are being impacted, and local markets are bracing for potential shortages.
Key statistics:
- Africa imports a staggering 35% of the world’s urea supply from Gulf states.
- The EU has announced €50,000 in grant aid for farmers affected by the war.
- S&P Global indicates that food supply chains are facing unprecedented challenges due to fuel and fertiliser restrictions.
Yara International, the world’s largest fertiliser company, has felt the ripple effects of this conflict. Svein Tore Holsether, its CEO, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues: “The most important thing we can do now is raise the alarm on what we are seeing right now—that there is a risk of a global auction on fertiliser that means it becomes unaffordable for those most vulnerable.” The grim reality is that farming—once a reliable livelihood—has turned into a gamble for many.
Farmers express their frustrations. One worker lamented, “Farming only leads to financial losses. I’d rather work as a day labourer and earn 100 to 200 baht a day just to get by.” This sentiment resonates deeply among those who depend on agriculture for survival but find themselves caught in an escalating crisis.
The situation is compounded by broader trends in global food supply chains. The Iran war has already deepened into supply chain disruptions affecting food security worldwide. With many African nations positioned to produce food locally, their heavy dependence on imported fertilisers raises critical questions about sustainability and resilience.
As officials scramble to respond to these challenges, no clear timeline has been provided for when things might stabilize. For now, farmers and consumers alike brace for an uncertain future marked by soaring prices and dwindling supplies.
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