As the Hormuz blockade cuts off vital agricultural inputs, Food and Agriculture Organization official views China as key food security partner
4-MIN READ4-MINVictoria BelaPublished: 9:00pm, 7 May 2026Conflict in the Middle East is threatening the coming planting season, a UN official has warned, as countries already reeling from fertiliser shortages and surging costs face shocks to food security.The Strait of Hormuz, a major global chokepoint for fertilisers and other agricultural inputs as well as oil, has been under blockade since the start of joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.Despite rising concerns over the impact of the conflict on global food production, China – supported by an advanced crop forecast system – recently said its domestic yield of grains and oilseed would increase this year.
Viorel Gutu, an assistant director general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and a regional representative for Europe and Central Asia, said many countries were already “experiencing the shock”, including high input costs and low availability.
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