Super El Niño Threatens Global Food Security Amid Iran Conflict
A potential 'super El Niño' event could worsen global food security amid rising fuel and fertilizer costs linked to the ongoing Iran war. Meteorologists warn that climate extremes and disrupted production in key regions, combined with high costs from fossil fuel dependency, threaten food prices. Approximately one-third of the world's fertilizer trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, now impacted by halted shipping due to recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Concerns grow as the U.S. planting season begins.
Coverage
- First reported: @CIG_telegram
- Most detailed: @CIG_telegram
- Total sources: 1
- Created: 2026-04-10 19:49:47 CEST
- Updated: 2026-04-10 19:49:55 CEST
Timeline
- @CIG_telegram · 1 messages 📷 2026-04-10T17:49:15+00:00
Media
Source Messages
👨🌾 🇮🇷 🌡 From war to weather: A 'super El Niño' event poses fresh risks to global food costs
Meteorologists say an unusually powerful El Niño could take shape later this year, exacerbating global food security fears.
The prospect of a “super El Niño” event comes at a time when many have raised the alarm over surging fuel and fertilizer costs amid the Iran war.
"Food prices are being squeezed from both sides: by climate extremes disrupting production in major growing regions, and by a food system still hooked on fossil fuels and therefore exposed to spikes in gas, fertiliser, transport and packaging costs," Jaccarini told CNBC by email.
Roughly one-third of the world's seaborne fertilizer trade typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, although shipping traffic has virtually ground to a halt since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
The price spikes for fuel and fertilizer come as the U.S. planting season begins in earnest, ramping up fears among U.S. farmers of elevated food prices and lower crop yields.
Asked about the prospect of a powerful El Niño event developing in the wake of the sprawling Middle East crisis, Heyl said: "If you get two negative factors like that combining then it could really be tough going."
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/el-nino-food-risks-iran-war-fertilizer-weather.html
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Meteorologists say an unusually powerful El Niño could take shape later this year, exacerbating global food security fears.
The prospect of a “super El Niño” event comes at a time when many have raised the alarm over surging fuel and fertilizer costs amid the Iran war.
"Food prices are being squeezed from both sides: by climate extremes disrupting production in major growing regions, and by a food system still hooked on fossil fuels and therefore exposed to spikes in gas, fertiliser, transport and packaging costs," Jaccarini told CNBC by email.
Roughly one-third of the world's seaborne fertilizer trade typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, although shipping traffic has virtually ground to a halt since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
The price spikes for fuel and fertilizer come as the U.S. planting season begins in earnest, ramping up fears among U.S. farmers of elevated food prices and lower crop yields.
Asked about the prospect of a powerful El Niño event developing in the wake of the sprawling Middle East crisis, Heyl said: "If you get two negative factors like that combining then it could really be tough going."
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/el-nino-food-risks-iran-war-fertilizer-weather.html