The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has identified key actions that should be taken by governments across the globe to mitigate the impact of the Middle East War on global agriculture.
First, the FAO says there is a need to keep trade flowing across the international market saying export restrictions, particularly on fertilisers and agricultural inputs, must be avoided.
The FAO warned that restrictions intensify shortages, increase instability, and hurt poorer import-dependent countries most.
Besides, the global food body has also called for smarter agricultural responses. It explained that traditional emergency packages centered exclusively on fertiliser-intensive systems may no longer be viable under current conditions. Countries should support adaptive strategies such as inter-cropping, improving nitrogen efficiency, and promoting crops less dependent on synthetic fertilisers.
The FAO has also identified “targeted support” as a mitigating measure. Resources should focus on the most vulnerable populations through targeted social protection systems and rural support mechanisms.
The organization also advocated for support from international financial institutions.
The FAO explained in a statement that farmers and other stakeholders across agri-food systems, as well as import-dependent countries, need liquidity support now – before the next agricultural cycle. “A delay in financing will result in lost production.”
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), QU Dongyu, had explained in another forum that the crisis highlighted the dependency of agri-food systems on a limited number of trade bottlenecks and fertilizer suppliers. Addressing this requires more diversified logistics corridors, stronger regional trade integration, strategic reserves, resilient rural infrastructure, and greater energy diversification across agri-food systems.
This is particularly crucial at a time of elevated climate risk from a potentially strong El Niño, which could further amplify existing pressures and disruptions to supply chains.
“We have a window to act, but that window is narrowing,” Qu noted.
Qu was addressing a Special Event on the crisis in the Middle East during Rome Nutrition Week. The meeting, organized by the Government of Spain, was also attended by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, as well as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, and the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Alvaro Lario.
In his remarks, the FAO Director-General said the meeting in Rome was taking place at a moment of “profound geopolitical and economic fragility.”
“What we are witnessing today is not only a geopolitical crisis, it is a systemic shock to the global agri-food system,” Qu said.
The largest impacts of this crisis may not be immediate, however, they may emerge months from now, when farmers begin harvesting less because they planted less, fertilized less, or could no longer afford production.
“The decisions we make now will determine whether this remains a manageable shock, or evolves into a deeper global food security crisis in 2026 and 2027, and beyond,” Qu told the meeting.
FAO notes that severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have already affected the movement of oil, liquefied natural gas, sulfur, and fertilizers – driving up agricultural input costs and placing upward pressure on seed prices due to their dependence on fertilizers. As energy prices rise, agri-food systems become more expensive across all regions.
Input import-dependent countries, in particular, are facing rising bills, while vulnerable households are losing purchasing power as inflation erodes incomes.
For many countries, especially in Africa and parts of Asia, these impacts are not occurring in isolation; they are compounding existing pressures from debt distress, climate shocks, conflict, and constrained public finances.
“We must act early before humanitarian and economic costs rise,” the Director-General said.
- Story by Kofi Nartey
