Hormuz closure puts Bangladesh at risk of fertiliser crisis: WFP

Bangladesh faces a "severe risk" of a potential fertiliser crisis as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz drives up global urea prices and threatens critical imports, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has said.

In a new report, the WFP said Bangladesh depends on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for around 80 percent of its urea imports and currently has sufficient stocks only until October.

The agency said international urea prices have surged by around 50 percent, while three of Bangladesh's five state-owned urea fertiliser plants remain shut due to gas shortages, further straining domestic supply.

The report warned that prolonged supply disruptions could undermine agricultural production and food security, with up to 18.1 million people projected to face acute food shortages if the crisis deepens.

Source: Al Jazeera