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Fertiliser boss says war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk

Fertiliser boss says war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk

A shortage of fertiliser due to the Iran conflict could reduce crop yields and push prices higher, says the boss of Yara.

April 30, 2026 at 11:08 PM Original source
6 agencies covered this story

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Notable Quotes

"We're up to half a million tons of nitrogen fertiliser not being produced in the world right now because of the situation we are in."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"Not applying nitrogen fertiliser would reduce crop yields for some crops by as much as 50% in the first season."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"If there's a bidding war on food and one that Europe is robust enough to handle, what we need to keep in mind in Europe is, OK, in that situation, who are we buying the food away from?"

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"some countries might have enough fertiliser for the immediate planting season but if the crisis drags on any longer, we will be seeing impact on crops such as rice in the coming months."

— Paul Teng , Academic

"We're up to half a million tons of nitrogen fertiliser not being produced in the world right now because of the situation we are in."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"We're up to half a million tons of nitrogen fertiliser not being produced in the world right now because of the situation we are in."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"Some countries might have enough fertiliser for the immediate planting season but if the crisis drags on any longer, we will be seeing impact on crops such as rice in the coming months."

— Paul Teng , Academic

"Given the importance of fertiliser, this is something that can seriously impact crop yields if the war continues for an extended period."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"If the strait of Hormuz was closed for a year it would be catastrophic."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"When gas prices increase as much as they do now, it goes straight to the cost of producing fertiliser for all."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"The countries that are most vulnerable still pay the highest price."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"In a global auction for fertiliser, Europe will have a stronger buying power than poorer parts of the world, we need to keep in mind the magnitude of this before it is too late."

— Svein Tore Holsether , Executive

"Right now, we are waiting and hoping."

— Baldev Singh , Other

"In the worst case, this means lower yields and crop failures next season. In the best case, higher input costs will be included in food prices next year."

— Carl Skau , Executive

"The planting season is now. The fertilizer isn't there."

— Raj Patel , Academic

All Coverage

Fertiliser boss says war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk
BBC Newsvia rss 4 quotes 2 persons

A shortage of fertiliser due to the Iran conflict could reduce crop yields and push prices higher, says the boss of Yara.

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Fertiliser boss says war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk
AOLvia ai 1 quote 1 person

The CEO of Yara, Svein Tore Holsether, warns that the Iran conflict is disrupting fertiliser supplies, potentially leading to a loss of up to 10 billion meals weekly and impacting the world's poorest nations.

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'The planting season is now,' but war in Iran has sparked a global fertilizer shortage
PBS Newsvia ai 3 quotes 3 persons

The conflict in Iran has led to a significant global fertilizer shortage, affecting farmers worldwide and raising concerns about future crop yields and food prices.

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Bloombergvia ai

The ongoing conflict in Iran is disrupting global food supply chains, particularly affecting fertilizer production and distribution, with significant implications for food security and living standards.

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Fertiliser boss says war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk
Yahoo! Newsvia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of Yara, highlights the severe impact of the Iran conflict on fertiliser supplies, warning of a potential loss of 10 billion meals weekly and urging European nations to consider the effects on vulnerable countries.

80%
Global food supplies could be badly hit if Iran war drags on, says fertiliser boss
The Guardianvia ai 5 quotes 1 person

Yara's CEO, Svein Tore Holsether, expresses concern that prolonged conflict in Iran could severely disrupt global food supplies, urging leaders to consider the impact on the world's poorest nations.

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