China urged to stop hoarding food and fertiliser amid global supply

David Malpass, the former president of the World Bank, told the BBC that China should halt the buildup of its food and fertiliser reserves to ease a worldwide supply crisis sparked by the war in Iran [1]. He made the remarks on the eve of the Trump‑Xi summit in Beijing, highlighting that China holds the “biggest world stockpile of foodstuffs and of fertiliser” and can afford to stop expanding it [1].

Malpass’s warning comes as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has choked shipments of fertiliser, prompting countries to scramble for the limited supplies needed for spring planting. Svein Tore Holsether, chief executive of Yara—one of the world’s largest fertiliser producers—estimated that the disruption could deprive the globe of up to 10 billion meals a week and would hit the poorest nations hardest [1]. China has already halted exports of several fertiliser types since March, citing domestic protection, and has layered restrictions on its market since 2021 [1]. Last year, the country accounted for roughly 25 % of global fertiliser output and exported more than $13 billion worth of product [1].

Beyond the immediate commodity concerns, Malpass also questioned China’s claim to developing‑country status, arguing that its position as the world’s second‑largest economy makes the label “no longer credible” [1]. The Chinese embassy’s spokesperson Liu Pengyu rebutted, asserting that China remains “universally recognized as the largest developing country” and that it is committed to stabilising global food and fertiliser markets [1].

If China were to release part of its stockpiles, it could alleviate pressure on fertiliser prices and help avert a potential bidding war for food, as warned by Yara’s chief executive [1]. However, Beijing’s response suggests it will continue to protect domestic supplies, leaving the extent of any relief uncertain. The next steps will hinge on whether China chooses to adjust its export policy amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the looming threat to global food security.