Rising food prices across the Gulf are being fuelled by disruption in air cargo networks as geopolitical tensions reshape aviation routings, reports London's Air Cargo Week.

Analysts said the Iran war has forced carriers to reroute flights, extending block times and reducing aircraft productivity. The knock on effects include higher fuel costs, tighter crew utilisation and reduced cargo capacity, particularly for temperature controlled shipments. While bellyhold capacity tied to passenger flights has remained relatively stable, freighter operations have been more exposed.

The Gulf Cooperation Council relies heavily on imported food, with perishables such as fresh produce, dairy and seafood dependent on short transit times. Longer routings have driven freight rate escalation, with importers passing costs through to distributors and consumers. The impact is most visible in categories where air freight forms a significant share of landed cost.

Extended transit times also risk spoilage and inventory loss, compressing margins for importers. Procurement strategies are shifting, with selective sourcing changes and tighter inventory management. Substitution with sea or land transport remains limited, given the perishability of many goods and infrastructure constraints.

Rising food costs are contributing directly to inflation across the Gulf, affecting households and retailers. Logistics providers are investing in cold chain infrastructure, inventory buffers and digital tools to build resilience. Air Cargo Week said the disruption highlights aviation's critical role in food security, with stability in air corridors now directly tied to economic conditions in the region.

資料來源：Dolphin