Maputo, March 31, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique is among the countries most at risk of rising food prices and cost of living due to lower fertiliser imports following traffic disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Nations warned on Tuesday.
In the document "Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz: Implications for Global Trade and Development", released on Monday, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz "could worsen access to fertilisers for some poorer countries The organisation warned of global consequences stemming from the halt of supply transport through the channel.
"Conflict escalation in the Strait of Hormuz region (...) increasingly affects fertiliser markets, linking energy and shipping disruptions to agricultural markets, future food supplies and trade," the organisation warned.
UNCTAD said Mozambique imported 22% of its fertiliser through the Strait of Hormuz from the Persian Gulf in 2024. The list of affected nations includes New Zealand and Kenya at 26%, Thailand and Pakistan at 27%, Somalia at 30%, Tanzania at 31%, Australia at 32%, Sri Lanka at 36%, and Sudan at 54%.
"Rising costs for energy, fertilisers and transport, including freight, bunker fuel prices and insurance premiums, could raise food prices and intensify pressure on the cost of living, especially for the most vulnerable," the document said.
The report added that when oil prices rise, food prices follow, and fertiliser prices usually increase alongside fuel prices.
UNCTAD said the Strait of Hormuz was vital to global fertiliser supplies, serving as both a trade route and a production hub.
The organisation's data shows that the fertiliser trade is highly concentrated, increasing exposure to disruptions. Countries in the region account for 13% of global nitrogen exports and 9% of phosphate fertiliser nutrients.
Globally, a third of the maritime fertiliser trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, totalling about 16 million tonnes of exports from the Persian Gulf. This includes 67% urea, 20% diammonium phosphate, 9% monoammonium phosphate, and 4% of other types, according to 2024 figures.
The United States and Israel launched a military attack against Iran on 28 February. Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz and attacking targets in Israel, local US bases, and other regional infrastructure.
The Strait of Hormuz carries about 20% of maritime oil and significant amounts of liquefied natural gas, according to data from the United Nations and the US Energy Information Administration.
PME/LYT // ADB.
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