Rome Coalition Declares Permanent Platform as Fertilizer Trade Collapses

The second ministerial meeting of the Rome Coalition on Fertilizers and Food Security brought together more than a dozen countries, the EU, FAO, and UNOPS at the UN General Assembly to confront an unprecedented crisis: the simultaneous closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disruption of Red Sea shipping, and blockade of Black Sea ports have driven Gulf fertilizer exports toward zero and put 45 million additional people at risk of acute hunger. Italy and Croatia co-chaired the session, which ended with the coalition becoming a permanent body and a UN transit mechanism ready to deploy — but still waiting for a mandate.

• Gulf fertilizer exports fall toward zero as Hormuz tanker movements drop over 90%, triggering a spike in food prices and a scramble for alternatives
• UN task force ready to deploy in seven days to resume fertilizer shipping through Hormuz — but Security Council mandate has not been given
• Rome Coalition made permanent, with plans to bring in private sector and follow-up meetings in Naples and Cyprus
• Ukraine reports Black Sea port throughput collapsed 93%, with Russian attacks on civilian ships tripling
• France's G7 fertilizer working group and EU's €2.1 billion food security package anchor the Western response
• Albania proposes early warning mechanism for fertilizer supply disruptions; multiple nations pledge concrete humanitarian aid

Why it matters: The Strait of Hormuz normally carries roughly a third of global urea exports and half of sulfur shipments. With tanker movements through the strait down over 90% and Gulf nitrogen fertilizer exports near zero since February 2026, the disruption has no strategic reserve to cushion it — and the next planting season is approaching.