Croatia, Italy launch Rome Coalition for Fertilizer Access and Food Security

On Thursday, 7 May 2026, Croatia and Italy launched the Rome Coalition for Fertilizer Access and Food Security in Rome during a partner meeting of the MED9 group, in the context of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting was jointly organized by Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, and Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani. Representatives of MED9 member states, Arab League countries, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Western Balkans, as well as representatives of the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization attended the meeting.

Grlić Radman emphasized that the situation in the Middle East is neither a distant crisis nor merely a regional concern, but a major geopolitical shock for Europe that increasingly threatens stability, economic security, and the daily lives of European citizens.

He particularly warned about the consequences of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz for global supply chains, especially in the areas of fertilizers and food security. He stressed that the Middle East plays a key role in fertilizer production, while a significant share of global trade in this crucial agricultural input passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

"The blockade of the Strait is already driving up fertilizer prices, causing shortages, and threatening production. This is not only an economic issue, but also a matter of political stability in our wider neighbourhood and within Europe itself," Grlić Radman stated.

By launching the Rome Coalition, participants expressed their shared commitment to ensuring more stable, affordable, and diversified fertilizer and food supply chains. This includes strengthening cooperation between producer, transit, and importing countries, expanding regional production capacities, improving logistical connectivity, and supporting investments in resilient agri-food systems.

In a joint statement, participants underscored the importance of the Mediterranean as a space of peace, dialogue, and cooperation. They also agreed that the Rome Coalition should help prevent food supply insecurity and supply chain disruptions from further exacerbating instability, humanitarian pressures, and migration flows.

As chair of MED9 since April 2026, the Republic of Croatia continues to actively work on strengthening a coordinated European response toward the Mediterranean and the Middle East, as well as on safeguarding the stability, security, and resilience of the European area.

Press releases