G7 agriculture ministers agreed Monday to diversify fertilizer supply chains and increase market transparency following the virtual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz [1].

This agreement comes as global food security faces a critical threat due to the surge in urea prices. Because the Middle East produces approximately 40% of the world's urea [1], any disruption in this region creates immediate volatility in global agricultural inputs.

The emergency online meeting was convened by France, the current G7 chair, and included participation from the European Union and the OECD [1]. The ministers focused on reducing risks to the supply chain and ensuring that price and supply-demand information remains transparent to prevent market panic [1], [2], [3].

Japanese Agriculture Minister Suzuki said there is a need for stability and the avoidance of unilateral measures such as export restrictions [1].

"I have urged the need for responses to strengthen the resilience of the supply chain, such as improving market transparency regarding supply and demand and price trends, and avoiding unilateral measures such as export restrictions," Suzuki said [1].

The coordination effort aims to prevent a systemic failure in global farming operations as countries seek alternatives to Middle Eastern sources. The ministers agreed that diversifying the sources of fertilizer is essential to mitigate the impact of geopolitical instability in the Gulf region [1], [2], [3].

This emergency session serves as a precursor to the G7 Summit, which is scheduled to begin June 15 in France [1].

“The Middle East produces approximately 40% of the world's urea.”

The reliance on a single geographic corridor for a critical agricultural input like urea creates a systemic vulnerability for global food production. By coordinating a shift toward supply chain diversification and transparency, G7 nations are attempting to decouple food security from the volatility of the Strait of Hormuz, though finding immediate alternative sources for 40% of the global urea market remains a significant logistical challenge.