Uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz leads to further increases in energy and food prices, warns FAO/UN.

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf, continues to put pressure on global fuel prices, with tanker traffic virtually paralyzed, according to a note from "UN News". On Friday (17), Iran signaled that the maritime passage would remain open during the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. A day later, the Strait was closed again, according to Iran, because of the United States' blockade of Iranian ports. :: Uncertainty about negotiations News agencies report that global oil prices rose after reports that the United States had intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, increasing uncertainty in the market. The benchmark price of oil jumped to around US$96 a barrel, reversing the falls seen at the end of last week, after Iran signaled the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis surrounding the region increases uncertainty about the holding of a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, scheduled for this week in Pakistan. :: Fuel and Food Price Increases Countries heavily dependent on imports are among the hardest hit. In Laos, fuel prices have nearly doubled in some regions, raising transportation costs and forcing families to skip meals or opt for cheaper, less nutritious foods. In Nigeria, fuel prices have risen more than 60% since February, doubling transportation costs and driving up food prices in a country where many people already struggle to afford basic necessities. Egypt is also experiencing sharp increases, with the price of vegetables nearly tripling, basic foodstuffs rising 18%, and fuel and transportation costs becoming significantly more expensive. :: Long-Term Consequences for Agriculture At a conference in Rome on Monday, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, Qu Dongyu, said that the availability and affordability of food is under threat. He stressed that the crisis affects all agricultural inputs, including chemicals and machinery, as well as fertilizers. Dongyu said he informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres that the crisis will have "long-term consequences for agriculture," even if it ends today. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime corridors, serving as a gateway between the Persian Gulf and the open ocean. Strategic passage: Located between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, the strait connects major oil and gas producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, and Kuwait, to global markets. Before the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, a significant portion of the world's energy supply, including oil, natural gas, and raw materials for various industries, passed through the strait daily. Ship traffic has dropped drastically since the escalation of the conflict in late February. The International Maritime Organization confirmed that since the beginning of the tensions, there have been 24 incidents against commercial vessels and 10 sailors killed.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.