The ongoing Iran war threatens food security across Africa, particularly impacting the continent’s most vulnerable populations. As of early Tuesday, reports indicate that agricultural imports may face severe disruptions due to rising fertiliser prices.
Yara International, the world’s largest fertiliser company, has seen urea prices soar by 60% to 70% since the war began. This spike is alarming as Africa heavily depends on these imports despite its capacity to produce food.
Currently, 35% of the world’s urea supply comes from Gulf states. The conflict is disrupting ammonia supplies, which directly affects fertiliser production. Ethiopia and Kenya are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on Middle Eastern nitrogenous fertilisers.
Key statistics:
- The price of urea has increased by 60% to 70% since the onset of the Iran war.
- The EU has announced grant aid of up to €50,000 for farmers impacted by these developments.
- S&P Global reported significant challenges in food supply chains due to fuel and fertiliser restrictions.
Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of Yara International, expressed grave concerns about the situation. He stated, “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.” He emphasized the need for treating farming as a business.
Farmers are already feeling the impact. Many report that they are losing production daily and anticipate it will take weeks or months to restart operations. The situation is dire for those who rely on agriculture as their primary source of income.
The EU’s financial assistance aims to mitigate some effects but may not be enough given the scale of the crisis. As food security becomes increasingly precarious in sub-Saharan Africa, officials stress that immediate action is critical.
