📰 Iran War Fertilizer Disruption Puts 10 Billion Meals Per Week at Risk, Says Yara CEO
On April 30, 2026, Svein Tore Holsether, chief executive of Yara — one of the world’s largest fertiliser producers — issued a stark warning to the BBC: the interruption to fertiliser and key ingredient supplies caused by the Iran conflict could result in up to 10 billion meals per week not being produced, with the poorest nations bearing the brunt of the impact.
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Triggers Chain Reaction
Holsether said that hostilities in the Gulf, which have blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, are jeopardising global food production. Reduced crop yields due to lower fertiliser use could lead to a bidding war for food between nations.
“We’re up to half a million tons of nitrogen fertiliser not being produced in the world right now because of the situation we are in,” Holsether said. “What does that mean for food production? I would get to up to 10 billion meals that will not be produced every week as a result of the lack of fertilisers.”
He added that not applying nitrogen fertiliser would reduce crop yields for some crops by as much as 50% in the first season.
Fertiliser Prices Surge 80%
The price of fertiliser has soared by 80% since the beginning of the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Holsether warned that a continuation of the conflict could result in a bidding war for food between richer and poorer nations.
“If there’s a bidding war on food and one that Europe is robust enough to handle, what we need to keep in mind in Europe is, okay, in that situation, who are we buying the food away from?” he said. “That is a situation where the most vulnerable people pay the highest price for this in developing nations where they cannot afford to follow that.”
Farmers Face Mounting Cost Pressures
Holsether noted that farmers around the world were facing a daunting series of challenges. “They’re faced with higher energy costs — diesel for a tractor is increasing, other inputs for the farmers are increasing, fertiliser cost is increasing, but yet the crop prices haven’t increased to the same extent yet.”
While the UK is very unlikely to face food shortages, the increased costs facing food producers are expected to start showing up on weekly food bills in the coming months. The Food and Drink Federation recently forecast that food inflation could reach 10% by the end of the year.
Call for Europe to Consider Impact on the Vulnerable
Holsether urged European nations to carefully consider the impact of a price war on the “most vulnerable” in other countries. “If there’s a bidding war on food, we need to remember — who are we buying the food away from? This has implications for food affordability, food scarcity and hunger.”
The warning provides the latest and most specific quantified assessment of the profound impact the escalating Iran conflict is having on global food security.
Source: BBC News - Fertiliser boss says Iran war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk