How a Blocked Strait of Hormuz Could Trigger a Food Crisis

The conflict in the Middle East has transformed the Strait of Hormuz from a strategic energy chokepoint into a critical bottleneck for regional food security.

Gulf nations, which rely on imports for up to 98% of their food supply due to arid climates, are facing severe disruptions as shipping companies avoid the war-torn waterway.

With nearly two dozen vessels attacked since February 2026, insurance premiums and “wartime clauses” have caused shipping costs to quadruple, forcing retailers to explore expensive land routes through Europe and Turkey.

While absolute hunger is not yet an imminent threat, the World Food Programme warns of the most significant supply chain crisis since 2022.

As ships are rerouted to ports as far away as India and Sri Lanka, the added logistics costs are expected to trigger a 20% price hike on essential goods like dairy and fresh produce for millions of consumers across the region.