FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero calls for preventive policy measures and for ships transporting essential agricultural goods to be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible.
Otherwise, says Torero, there is a risk of a vicious spiral of smaller harvests, higher commodity prices and food inflation with consequences similar to those during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Strait of Hormuz is already effectively blocked due to the Iran war, but some traffic is being allowed through, especially oil shipments from Iran. However, US President Donald Trump issued an order on Sunday to block maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
