The US-Israeli war on Iran has created an unpredictable situation across the Middle East, with ports and airports temporarily closing and vessels remaining stranded
Chaos and uncertainty have engulfed much of the Middle East after the US and Israeli attacks on Iran sparked retaliatory strikes across the region, as well as threats against the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping channel.
The impact on shipments and supplies into and out of major hubs like Dubai International airport and Jebel Ali port has been immediate, giving fruit and vegetable traders in the region the challenge of re-organising the flow of highly perishable items.
“The priority at these times is to meet the needs of the local market,” said Hani Ayloush of Dubai-based Fruit Line Trading, who is currently unable to return from Lebanon following flight cancellations.
Dubai Airports said “limited” flights had resumed after temporary cancellations, as Iran began striking targets in the Gulf, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.
“The airport and shipping port were closed, but they have resumed limited flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” said another Dubai importer. “The UAE has done a fantastic job of intercepting missiles and we feel relatively safe.”
Although DP World confirmed that Jebel Ali port remained operational after a brief suspension, reports continue of diverted and stranded vessels across the region.
For fruit and vegetables traders, the focus is on increasing their volumes, as supplies struggle to meet demand.
“We will have smaller volumes,” Ayloush said. “We are trying to increase supplies, at least to meet the needs of the local market, but we are not able to, as the demand to other neighbouring countries has also increased for the same reason. Major shipping lines have cancelled new bookings to the region, and they are diverting shipments in transit to other ports. Till now, it’s not very clear how things will work, but we trust that the authorities will find a solution as always.”
Prices of certain products rose as a result of the disruptions, he revealed. “Prices of all fresh produce, energy, shipping costs – all these things are going up like crazy,” he noted.
“The flights from Lebanon to Dubai are all cancelled,” Ayloush reported. “I hear I’m stuck here for maybe ten days until we see what’s going to happen.”
Lebanon has been bombarded by Israel in recent days, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs. “It’s very difficult,” he said. “You don’t know what to expect. A lot of people are sleeping in the streets, in their cars, fearing their houses might be hit at any time. They’re evacuating villages, the shelters, everywhere in the south.”
The Israeli military has issued an order for residents to evacuate the south of Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, prompting fears of a further escalation or even a ground invasion.
