The International Chamber of Commerce warns that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is essential to maintain the global food system [1, 2].
While the waterway is often discussed in the context of energy, its closure threatens the transport of nitrogen-based fertilizers. A disruption in these shipments could trigger a widespread food security crisis by limiting agricultural productivity worldwide [3, 5].
John W.H. Denton, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce, said the issue extends beyond energy resources. "The Strait of Hormuz is about much more than oil and gas," Denton said [1].
Traffic through the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran has seen a significant decline. On April 9, 2026, only seven ships passed through the strait [4].
Denton said the most pressing concern is the lack of access to fertilizers, specifically urea [5]. He said the world is currently drifting toward a food security crisis of global proportions [1].
"The sharpest issue at the moment is actually the deterioration of access to fertilizer," Denton said [1].
Maintaining the flow of these chemicals is being framed as a systemic necessity rather than a humanitarian gesture [1, 2]. The ICC emphasizes that the stability of the global food chain relies on the unrestricted movement of these essential agricultural inputs [3].
“The Strait of Hormuz is about much more than oil and gas.”
The shift in focus from oil to fertilizer highlights a critical vulnerability in the global agricultural supply chain. Because nitrogen-based fertilizers are essential for crop yields, a prolonged blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to decreased food production and increased global prices, transforming a regional geopolitical conflict into a worldwide humanitarian emergency.
