International Trade Centre: Hormuz Strait Disruption Hits Global Energy, Fertilizer, and Industrial Trade
The International Trade Centre (ITC) reports that Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions are severely curtailing global supplies of energy, fertilizer, and industrial inputs.
UNITED NATIONS,ECONOMY
Global N Press
8/4/20261 min read
On August 4, 2026, the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, reported in its latest Global Trade Monthly Briefing that disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have severely impacted global supplies of energy, fertilizer, and industrial inputs. Export volumes fell across all 12 selected strategic products, including declines of 95 percent for liquefied natural gas and 83 percent for urea. Preliminary data for April 2026 showed that combined merchandise exports across all products from economies exposed to disruptions in the Strait declined by 21 percent in value.
The International Trade Centre noted that although some import markets have begun adjusting procurement by increasing alternative supply sources, these measures remain insufficient to fully compensate for the reduced supply from economies dependent on the Strait of Hormuz. The report also highlighted rising marine fuel costs and insurance premiums as key channels through which the disruption can increase production and transport costs. The agency stated that the situation underscores the vulnerability of global supply chains to disruptions at critical maritime chokepoints and called for enhanced international coordination to stabilize supplies of essential goods.
