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The war in Iran has increased fertilizer prices. Ships cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has pretty much shut down the Strait. The Persian Gulf region is a key supplier of fertilizer ingredients. Gulf nations are the world's top exporters. The war has disrupted around 35 per cent of the world's fertilizer trade. Farmers now have to pay up to 35 per cent more for fertilizer. This will lead to smaller harvests and higher food prices.
The U.N. said the crisis will cause a global food shortage. It said that in the worst case, there will be "lower yields and crop failures next season". It added that in the best case, food prices will be higher next year. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization said: "It is a systemic shock affecting agrifood systems globally." It added: "Farmers are facing a dual cost shock. They have more expensive fertilizers alongside rising fuel costs."
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