Shortage of Artificial Fertilizers Will Cause a Global Food Crisis
Concerns about food shortages worldwide are growing. Zamin.uz reported on this matter.
A significant fact that draws analysts' attention is that nearly half of global food production today relies directly on artificial fertilizers. This situation indicates a potential cause for a future global food crisis.
Although the new planting season is beginning in the Northern Hemisphere, the delivery of fertilizers essential for farmers faces serious restrictions. Currently, due to political and economic issues in the Strait of Hormuz, nearly one-third of fertilizer deliveries have halted.
At the same time, the supply of natural gas required for artificial fertilizer production has sharply declined. Export restrictions imposed by China are also creating new risks in the market.
Since most artificial fertilizers are produced based on natural gas, energy resource shortages are directly turning into fertilizer scarcity. Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are further exacerbating this situation.
The dispute in this region has disrupted the fertilizer supply chain and led to a sharp rise in energy prices. As a result, developing countries are left in the most vulnerable position.
Farmers in India, Bangladesh, and some agricultural regions of the USA are already facing shortages of gas, fuel, and fertilizers. The suspension of operations at fertilizer production plants in Qatar and Algeria is also negatively affecting this process.
According to experts, war and political instability lead to a sharp increase in food prices. The greatest damage is expected for corn growers, as this crop requires the most nitrogenous fertilizers.
The rise in corn prices will cause an increase in production costs in the livestock and poultry sectors. This process will eventually affect every family's breakfast and may expose the world population to new difficulties.
