Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of Yara International, has issued a stark warning regarding the potential global ramifications of the ongoing conflict in Iran. He emphasized that if the conflict were to continue, it could severely disrupt global food supplies, with significant implications for crop yields due to the reliance on fertilisers. The situation is particularly critical for the world's poorer nations, where rising food prices could lead to increased hunger and instability.

Holsether pointed out that since the outbreak of the conflict, there has been a drastic increase in the cost of raw materials used in fertilisers, particularly urea and ammonia, which are essential for plant nutrition. These price hikes are a direct consequence of the conflict, as a substantial portion of the world's supply of these fertilisers is sourced from the Gulf region. The increase in the cost of urea—up by approximately $210 per tonne—highlights the precarious nature of food security when geopolitical tensions escalate.

This warning underscores the need for global leaders to proactively address the situation and consider the far-reaching consequences of the war on food systems worldwide. Holsether's remarks serve as a call to action, urging decision-makers to take steps to mitigate the potential crisis in food supplies before it escalates, thereby protecting vulnerable populations who are most at risk from rising food costs and shortages.