Disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea, linked to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels since late 2023, have led to a significant increase in fertilizer prices, impacting agricultural regions such as the Sahel in Africa. According to reports from the World Bank and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), fertilizer prices rose by an estimated 15-20% in early 2024 due to longer shipping routes and higher insurance costs.
Morocco, a major global producer of phosphate-based fertilizers, has faced logistical challenges as its exports to sub-Saharan Africa and Europe are rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope. The Moroccan government has announced strategic adjustments to ensure domestic supply and maintain export commitments, though specific details remain under review as of May 2026.
For Sahelian countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, which rely heavily on imported fertilizers for staple crops like millet and sorghum, the price hikes threaten to reduce yields and exacerbate food insecurity. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that without intervention, the region could face a 10% drop in cereal production in the 2024-2025 season.
Efforts to mitigate the crisis include increased regional cooperation and investment in local fertilizer production, but progress has been slow due to political instability and limited infrastructure. The situation underscores the vulnerability of global food systems to geopolitical shocks.
