Global Shipping Disruptions Raise Food and Fuel Security Risks
Disruptions in key global shipping routes have raised concerns over food and fuel security. The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of global oil and gas supplies, is experiencing disruptions alongside severe disruption to Black Sea grain shipments.
Attacks on Russian and Ukrainian ports and vessels have reduced agricultural exports, while alternative routes through the Danube, Baltic, and other corridors face capacity, infrastructure, weather, and security constraints. This has created a 'triple chokepoint' for food supply routes.
The Iran-Israel-US war and Russia-Ukraine conflict are simultaneously disrupting oil, grain, and fertilizer supplies. Global diesel prices have reached record levels amid supply disruptions linked to the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
Higher fuel prices matter for food security because diesel is used in farm machinery, irrigation, harvesting, processing, and transportation. The World Food Programme has warned that disruptions to the three maritime chokepoints are pushing up the cost of delivering food and other supplies.