Middle East Conflict Threatens Global Food Security

The International Energy Agency (IEA), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank Group have issued warnings regarding the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on global food security. They noted that the war disrupts supply chains and drives up energy prices, which significantly affects low-income countries.

The organizations emphasized that even if shipping resumes through the Strait of Hormuz, fuel and fertilizer prices are expected to remain elevated due to infrastructure damage. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that global food commodity prices rose for the second consecutive month in March, driven by higher energy costs linked to the conflict.

The FAO food price index averaged 128.5 points in March, reflecting a 2.4% increase from February and a 1.0% rise from the previous year. Máximo Torero warned that continued instability in the Middle East could further disrupt global food systems and essential supply routes, exacerbating the situation for countries already facing high debt burdens.