FAO urges open trade on all agricultural inputs and efficient fertilizer use amid global food production risks

The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu,  opened the 181st Session of the FAO Council (8-12 June), noting recommendations for countries to address the impacts of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, particularly the urgent need for efficient fertilizer use as global agrifood systems face unprecedented challenges.

“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not a regional issue – it is a global food security risk,” Qu highlighted, noting that around 35% of global crude oil exports, 20% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, 20–30% of global fertilizer exports, and approximately 50% of global sulfur exports transit through this critical chokepoint. These essential flows are vital for food production, affecting energy and agricultural inputs significantly.

“The greatest risk was not an immediate food shortage, but a fertilizer and production shock,” Qu stated. As the crisis reaches its 100-day mark, its effects are becoming increasingly visible. Farmers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are grappling with higher production costs and difficult choices regarding fertilizer use and crop decisions.

In response, FAO has launched a comprehensive package of recommendations for immediate, medium, and long-term actions. “In the immediate term, we have called for keeping trade open, avoiding export restrictions on all agricultural inputs, protecting humanitarian food corridors, and securing alternative logistics routes,” Qu detailed.

Additionally, FAO is working to enhance fertilizer use efficiently through initiatives like soil mapping and precision agriculture. “We are promoting intercropping systems to reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilizers,” he added. FAO is also actively working to develop innovation funds for alternative fertilizers, such as green ammonia and biofertilizers.

The Director-General pointed out that El Niño-related weather risks later this year could further threaten food production and food security in countries already facing severe food crises.

Funds and Emergency Appeal

In December 2025, FAO launched its first Global Emergency and Resilience Appeal, aiming to reach 100 million people by 2026. As of the end of May, the Appeal had received $206 million against the required $2.5 billion – approximately 8% of what is needed. “While the resources received are making a difference, they also remind us of the scale of the challenge ahead,” Qu remarked.

In Sudan, FAO and its partners have vaccinated more than 6.2 million livestock across 17 states, helping protect the livelihoods and food security of approximately 1.9 million people. “In Gaza, emergency livestock feed support provided to over 2,200 herders has enabled families to maintain their herds and continue producing food,” he added, noting that these efforts led to a 30% increase in sheep and goat populations despite challenging conditions.

These results reaffirm that supporting farmers, livestock herders, and fishers in their food production is one of the most effective ways to save lives, protect livelihoods, and reduce future humanitarian needs.

Despite the resource gap related to the Global Emergency and Resilience Appeal, the Director-General noted that, as at end May 2026, FAO had mobilized USD 564 million in voluntary contributions – about 4% ahead of the same period last year.

FAO continues to receive strong support from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and vertical funds, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF). In December 2025, the FAO-GEF partnership reached the milestone of USD 2 billion in financing, making FAO GEF’s second-largest partner.

Qu also expressed gratitude for the strong regional support for FAO’s work on transboundary animal diseases and plant pests. “More than 77 countries have confirmed their participation in the Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD), demonstrating real professionalism and multilateralism,” he said. “Together, we have transformed FAO into a center of knowledge and service excellence, based on sound data and a science-based approach.”

Regional Priorities and FAO Initiatives

The 181st Session of the FAO Council will assess the outcomes of the 2026 FAO Regional Ministerial Conferences, where Members identified specific priorities.

In Africa, the narrative is shifting from challenges to opportunities, with the continent holding 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and the youngest population globally. Qu emphasized the potential for Africa to become a breadbasket for the world, urging support for the AU Kampala Strategy to mobilize USD 100 billion, boost agrifood output by 45%, and triple intra-African agricultural trade. However, the stark reality remains that one in five Africans is still undernourished.