WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States said Monday it is committed to hosting further talks among G20 economies on how the Middle East war is impacting food and fertiliser supplies and prices.

The United States is the current rotating chair of the Group of 20, which represents 85 per cent of the global economy.

“The United States G20 Presidency commits to hosting further discussions on the subject of food and fertiliser in the coming weeks,” according to a chair statement from the US Treasury Department.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran since February 28 have prompted Tehran to retaliate by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for energy and fertiliser shipments.

At a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors last Wednesday in Washington, participants discussed the economic hit from the war, particularly on agriculture markets and fertiliser, the statement said.

“Many members raised the importance of efforts to keep food and fertiliser supply chains functioning, particularly for low-income and vulnerable countries, by not imposing export prohibitions or restrictions on fertilisers,” it said.

G20 members also “discussed the potential for coordinated action to promote food security and support market stability.”

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank’s spring meetings, which brought finance ministers, central bankers and other senior officials from around the world to the US capital.

The G20 leaders’ annual summit will be held in December in Miami.