
The interruption of oil and gas supplied through the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel war with Iran has dramatically pushed up global energy prices.
Petrol has gone up already and UK domestic heating bills are almost certain to follow.
But it's not just fuel that's been impacted by the conflict. A host of other vitally important chemicals, gases and other products normally enter international supply chains via the Hormuz Strait.
BBC Verify has found that the price of a host of goods - ranging from food, to smartphones, to medicines - could be affected, as the number of ships passing through the Hormuz Strait has dropped from well over 100 a day before the war to just a handful.
Here is what could be impacted.
Fertilisers (Food)
Petrochemicals are derived from oil and gas and they are produced in great quantities for export by countries in the Gulf region.
And one of the most important is fertiliser, vital for global agricultural production.
According to the United Nations, around a third of the world's fertilisers - such as urea, potash, ammonia and phosphates - normally pass through the Hormuz Strait.
Data from the World Trade Organization shows that, since the conflict began, outbound shipments of fertiliser-related products through the waterway have collapsed.
Analysts have warned that a shortage of these ferilisers is likely to be particularly damaging to agricultural production now because March and April are the northern hemisphere's planting season and less fertiliser use now by farmers will impact yields for later in the year.
"A relatively brief closure could disrupt an entire growing season, with food security consequences that persist long after the strait reopens," according to researchers at the Kiel Institute.
-
Nearly 100 ships pass the Hormuz Strait - who is getting through?
-
How risky would it be to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz?
-
In maps: Attacks across Iran and the Middle East enter third week
The Institute's work suggests a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz could push up global wheat prices by 4.2% and fruit and vegetable prices by 5.2%.
And it estimates that the most badly affected countries in terms of the overall increase in food prices would be Zambia (31%), Sri Lanka (15%), Taiwan (12%) and Pakistan (11%).
Russia normally supplies around a fifth of global fertiliser exports and analysts say it could potentially increase production to fill the gap.
Vladimir Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has said that Russia, a major producer of commodities like fertiliser, is "well positioned".
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Apollo vs. Artemis: What to know about NASA's return to the moon - 2
Volcanic eruption led to the Black Death, new research suggests - 3
Santa's sleigh or the International Space Station? How to spot a bright Christmas flyby Dec. 24 and 25 - 4
Thousands of New York City nurses set to strike Monday if deal isn't reached with hospitals - 5
NASA's Artemis astronauts enter final preparations for Moon mission
New research reveals urban raccoons across the US show early signs of domestication
The most effective method to Settle on Informed Conclusions about Senior Insuranc.
European nations criticise Israel’s death penalty plans
Tatiana Schlossberg, a granddaughter of JFK, is dead at 35 after cancer diagnosis
Airport wait times won't return to normal until Congress reaches a deal to pay TSA. Here's why they still can't come to an agreement.
UB professor shares his experience on almost becoming an astronaut
The Fate of Rest: Patterns in Shrewd Beds
Philippines evacuates 3,000 villagers after volcano activity raises alert level
I traveled to 13 countries in 2025. This small island nation surprised me the most.












