Agriculture, Maritime & Shipping, Grains, Livestock, Vegetable Oils
March 23, 2026
INFOGRAPHIC: War in the Middle East puts Gulf food trade at risk
By Sampad Nandy and Samyak Pandey
Editor:
HIGHLIGHTS
Key staples like grains and oils face rising supply risks
Longer detours for vessels could push up freight, food costs
Disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to the Middle East war are no longer limited to energy markets, increasingly threatening food security across the Persian Gulf.
Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran are among the nations that depend largely on overseas supplies for essential staples such as grains, edible oils and animal protein.
Prolonged restrictions at the Strait of Hormuz could force importers to turn to longer sea routes or alternative land corridors, driving up costs and compounding logistical challenges.
