Dr. Fadel ELZUBI, former Head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Mission, warned of the widening repercussions of the global fertilizer crisis on food security systems. He stressed that Jordan, as a country dependent on imports of food, energy, and agricultural inputs, is not immune to the effects of this crisis—particularly given the deep linkage between energy and fertilizer prices, which imposes mounting pressures on agricultural production costs and food supply chains.

The Ministry must clarify its compliance with Article 5.1.1 of the WOAH Code, which requires verification of the importing country’s health status before granting a transit license. Ultimately, this led to the passage of a diseased and non-compliant shipment—an outcome that cannot be dismissed as a mere procedural formality but rather constitutes a failure in international regulatory responsibility.

The regions most at risk are those combining high dependence on imported fertilizers with limited financial capacity to absorb price increases: foremost Sub-Saharan Africa, where fertilizer use is already low and any further decline directly threatens food security; then South Asia, with its dense population and heavy reliance on government subsidies for fertilizers; followed by the Arab region, which imports most of its grain and production inputs alike, facing a double shock.

El Zubi argued that the main challenge lies in the financial cost of maintaining food security rather than in the availability of supplies.

“The danger is not empty shelves, but a strained Treasury and rising foreign currency costs,” he said, referring to the cost of maintaining strategic reserves and bread subsidies during periods of elevated global commodity prices.

Dr. Fadel ELZUBI @ Jordan Radio and Follow-ups
The linkage of food security with national security and other pillars: energy security and water security.