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Geopolitical chokepoints and Gulf food security: the fertiliser paradox

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz impacts more than just oil. The Gulf is struggling to export fertiliser and import food, creating a worsening cycle.

Tags: Oil & Gas Politics & Governance Partner Insight
Geopolitical chokepoints and Gulf food security: the fertiliser paradox
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The current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, escalated by the military strikes of February 2026, has exposed a profound structural vulnerability in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.

While these states are often classified as "food secure" due to their immense purchasing power, this security is built upon a fragile foundation of extreme import dependency and a hyper-optimised, "just-in-time" global supply chain. 

The effective closure of the Strait does more than just threaten the flow of oil; it has paralysed the global fertiliser market, creating a "mid-term" food security crisis that will likely peak between late 2026 and early 2027.  

The double-edged sword of fertiliser dominance

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