Warning 'dire combination' poses regional food crunch

A group say there's a plausible case for regional food shortages emerging over the next 12 months. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Choked fertiliser supply chains teamed with an El Nino event could trigger food shortages and instability in the Indo-Pacific region, former national security leaders are warning.

The Australian Security Leaders Climate Group say there's a plausible case for regional food shortages emerging over the next 12 months.