Hormuz tensions threaten global food supplies: FAO

Global fertilizer shortages caused by shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz will reduce crop harvests and tighten food supplies from late 2026 through 2027, Qu Dongyu, director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said Thursday at a high-level global conference in Rome.

Qu said that the crisis has moved beyond geopolitics and is now hitting at the very heart of the global agrifood system. He said even a delay of just a few weeks in fertilizer deliveries -- missing the critical window for crop growth -- could slash harvests.

He specifically highlighted Africa, Asia and the Middle East as the most vulnerable regions, given their heavy reliance on imported fertilizers.

Hormuz tensions threaten global food supplies: FAO

The U.S. dollar strengthened in late trading on Thursday.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, gained 0.05 percent to 98.063 at 1500 (1900 GMT).

In late New York trading, the euro advanced to 1.1751 dollars from 1.1748 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound fell to 1.3583 dollars from 1.3593 dollars in the previous session.

The U.S. dollar bought 156.67 Japanese yen, higher than 156.45 Japanese yen in the previous session. The U.S. dollar lost to 0.7788 Swiss francs from 0.7790 Swiss francs, and it dropped to 1.3635 Canadian dollars from 1.3636 Canadian dollars. The U.S. dollar climbed to 9.2432 Swedish Kronor from 9.2339 Swedish Kronor.

U.S. dollar ticks up