Iran war may cause food shortages in Africa, world’s largest fertiliser firm says

Holsether stopped short of predicting actual food shortages in parts of Africa but said he was drawing the attention of world leaders to the possibility of soaring prices before action was taken. Photograph: Julian Lott/Alamy

The Iran war could have “dramatic consequences”, causing food shortages and price rises in some of Africa’s poorest and most vulnerable communities, the head of the world’s largest fertiliser company has said.

Svein Tore Holsether, the chief executive of Yara International, said world leaders needed to guard against soaring prices and shortages of fertiliser causing a de facto global auction that would leave the poorest countries, particularly in Africa, scrambling for supplies they could ill afford.