Conflict Disrupts Food Supply Chains Worldwide
Businesses across the food sector are raising prices, cutting product ranges and stockpiling as war and geopolitical tensions strain supplies.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Agriculture
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Do you expect your grocery prices to rise in the coming months?
Research from Euromonitor found that 81% of professionals said war or geopolitical conflict affected their company in the past 12 months. Food businesses are responding with planned price increases, reduced product ranges and stockpiling.
Why it matters
Conflicts in Ukraine, Iran and Sudan have disrupted shipping routes and restricted exports of grain, fertiliser, energy and specialty goods. Geopolitical conflict has become one of the main drivers of disruption across global food supply chains.
Euromonitor reported that 81% of professionals said their companies were affected by war or geopolitical conflict in the past 12 months, while BSI found 37% of food businesses were affected. Survey results do not yet show how long these disruptions will last.
The players
Euromonitor
Euromonitor is a market research firm that publishes global business and consumer surveys.
BSI
BSI is a standards and business improvement organisation that surveys companies on supply chain and risk issues.
The details
Conflicts have disrupted shipping routes, including in the Black Sea, and restricted exports such as saffron from Iran and acacia gum from Sudan, where armed groups are holding goods on transport routes. The war in Iran, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has severely restricted global energy and fertiliser supplies.
Timeline
- 2022: Russia invaded Ukraine, straining global grain, fertiliser and sunflower oil supplies.
- Past 12 months: 81% of professionals reported their companies were affected by conflict.
- Coming months: More than a third of businesses plan to raise prices to offset production costs.
Market Landscape
The disruption traces back to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which strained Black Sea grain and fertiliser exports. Conflicts in Iran and Sudan now add pressure on energy, fertiliser and specialty ingredient supplies.
More than a third of food businesses plan price increases to offset production costs in the coming months, which could raise prices shoppers see. Reduced product ranges and paused orders may also limit which items are available on store shelves.
The takeaway
Households may see food price changes and fewer product options as businesses adjust sourcing and stock. Checking alternatives across product categories can help offset higher costs during supply disruptions.
Further reading
For broader context on how these disruptions reach farm inputs and crop supply, see Agriculture.
Live Poll
Do you expect your grocery prices to rise in the coming months?
