A top economist who predicted the Global Financial Crisis is warning Australians could face food rationing within months if the Iran conflict continues.

Economist Steve Keen says disruptions to fuel and fertiliser supplies could hit food production and transport hard, leaving supermarket shelves empty.

“The biggest scare is that suddenly people who have expected to find food on the supermarket shelves are going to find it’s not there,” he said.

Despite government assurances fuel supplies are stable for now, concerns remain about longer-term access, especially over the key role of diesel needed to move food across the country.

With no resolution to the conflict in sight, pressure is building on Australia’s food security.