Iranian closure of strait would hit Mid-East food supplies

Iran's threat to block the Strait of Hormuz--the gateway to the Persian Gulf--could disrupt food supplies to the Middle East by forcing countries in the region to seek more expensive, less convenient sources of commodities.

Rising food prices were partly blamed for sparking the unrest in the region--known as the Arab Spring--last year that saw the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya fall. The countries bordering the Persian Gulf--in particular Iraq--rely on grain supplies usually shipped through this route.

UkrAgroConsult