The war in Iran is leaving notable consequences on oil and fuel prices, inflation, economic growth… Thus, chef José Andrés has issued a warning to governments around the world, because “not only oil comes out through the Strait of Hormuz.”
In statements to the English media The Guardian, the founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), the war in Iran is causing a “silent collapse” in the trafficking of fertilizers, which are key for food. For this reason, he believes that a “massive famine that will last several years” may occur.
Fertilizers, the great forgotten
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is also affecting the supply chains of nitrogen fertilizers, the consequences of which are being felt by farmers, with an increase in costs. The danger is that if the fertilizers do not arrive in time for planting time, the yields of the following crop will decrease.
Furthermore, if production falls, prices will rise, something that poor countries will not be able to bear. “In the United States a 2% increase is acceptable, but in countries like Haiti they don’t give you a kilo of rice, they give it to you by the spoonful,” he noted.
The 3% tax for peace proposed by José Andrés
To alleviate the looming crisis, José Andrés proposes imposing “a peace tax” of 3% of the GDP of each country. In his opinion, if that amount were invested in addition to the money allocated for defense, “there would be plenty of food to ensure that there will be no hunger on the planet.”
Several reports have revealed that defense spending has reached record levels since the Cold War and some organizations such as Oxfan have already warned that countries have to invest around $37 billion annually until 2030 to combat extreme hunger.
José Andrés’ NGO is also feeling the consequences because it depends on donations and, due to increased costs, if the situation does not improve, it will be forced to reduce its presence in regions such as Gaza or Ukraine. “We have the money we have, the increase in costs will force us to make certain decisions,” he lamented.
