His comments come as nations around the world scramble to secure fertilizer supplies ahead of spring planting, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupting shipments.
Earlier this month, the boss of one of the world’s biggest fertilizer producers warned that the interruption to supplies could cost up to 10 billion meals a week globally and would hit poorest countries hardest.
Svein Tore Holsether, chief executive of Yara, told the BBC that reduced crop yields as a result of lower fertilizer use could lead to a bidding war for food.
China has halted exports of several types of fertilizer since March, citing the need to protect domestic supplies.
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