Africa food security under threat due to Iran war, trade officials warn
Summary
UNCTAD and African trade officials warned that disruption around the Strait of Hormuz linked to the US-Israel war on Iran has raised fuel and fertiliser costs across Africa. They said reduced fertiliser use could weaken next year’s harvests and push up food prices, while the impact varies among countries.Key Facts
- UNCTAD official Luz Maria de la Mora said fertiliser prices have risen sharply and some countries have reduced their use.
- De la Mora warned that lower fertiliser use could affect next year’s crops, food availability and food prices.
- About one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade previously passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Zimbabwe’s women affairs minister said rising fuel and fertiliser prices concern a country where more than 70 percent of the population depends on agriculture.
- Uganda’s trade minister said fuel prices in the country have more than doubled.
- Uganda’s domestic food production has helped cushion the impact, but its currency has lost 10 percent of its value against the US dollar, the minister said.
- Zimbabwe says it seeks investment from both the United States and China and has deposits of more than 60 critical minerals, including lithium and graphite.
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