Energy shock talk grabs headlines but the Iran war is also driving the world towards a food crisis | Heather Stewart

Growers face soaring fertiliser and fuel costs as shipping choke point of the strait of Hormuz hits supply chains ‘The stakes are enormous’: how a prolonged Iran war could shock the global economy It is peak harvesting season for avocados in the lush southern highlands of Tanzania but growers are racing against time to find buyers for the precious green fruits before they become overripe. Donald Trump’s disastrous Middle East war is being felt in the world’s energy markets but oil and gas are not the only products that transit through the maritime choke point of the strait of Hormuz. The conflict is also hitting supply chains elsewhere. Shipping routes for Tanzanian avocados towards lucrative markets in the Gulf and beyond are blocked, and air freight capacity is down significantly. The Tanzania Horticultural Association recently warned its members: “Shipping lines have currently suspended acceptance of bookings for consignments across all routes and market destinations including Europe, Middle East, India, and China.” Transform Trade, a campaign group that works with small-scale farmers, has been gathering evidence of the war’s impact. It says many smallholders are having to accep