The African Union will hold a virtual Joint Extraordinary Specialized Technical Committee (STC) meeting on May 20-22 from Addis Ababa, to address fertilizer shortages and food implications on the continent. Many of the African Union (AU) departments are involved, from Agriculture, to Industry and Minerals, to Trade. Media and experts are invited to attend.
The AU announcement states, as context: “Africa’s agrifood systems face escalating, interconnected risk from the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict that is disrupting global energy and fertilizer markets, shipping, insurance, and price stability. With over 80% of Africa’s fertilizer supply imported, even short interruptions can quickly cause fertilizer shortages and price spikes, reducing application by smallholder farmer[s], lowering yields, increasing food import costs, and worsening food insecurity and social vulnerability.
