Several Irish agri food businesses have substantial volumes of exports tied up along the supply chain on their way to markets in the Middle East.

The Middle East has been an area of double-figure export growth for Irish dairy exports in recent years, but Bord Bia has warned that the region's supply channels have been under pressure since the latest wave of conflict broke out in the Middle East.

Bord Bia’s Middle East manager Kieran Fitzgerald said that the region remains strategically important” Irish food and drink exports after a 2025 export value of €370m, dominated by dairy.

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“Long-standing trading relationships, strong consumer demand, and the region’s structural reliance on imported food continue to underpin this growth,” Fitzgerald commented, citing the United Arab Emirates importation of around 85-90% of its food supplies last year.

“However, rising geopolitical tensions across the region are beginning to create significant disruption to global logistics.

“Flight cancellations, shipping delays, extended routing times, and rising transportation costs are placing pressure on supply chains.”

The Middles East manager said that shippers are looking to divert routes away from conflict zones and shift freight from ocean to air transport, which has tightened cargo capacity and increased transport costs.

“Several Irish exporters also have substantial volumes currently in transit, and the outlook remains highly uncertain and increasingly difficult to predict, particularly as logistics disruption and input costs continue to rise.”

The most immediate market exposure Irish businesses have in the region is in fresh and time-sensitive food categories more vulnerable to delays.

“Many customers currently hold adequate stock levels in market; however, exporters expect short- to medium-term volatility in supply and sales should disruption persist,” Fitzgerald said.

Bord Bia anticipates that the Middle East’s food service sector will remain operational in the short term, supported by high hotel occupancy arising from stranded passengers but that tourism-related demand could soften until travel patterns normalise.

“While the safety of Bord Bia’s Dubai-based staff remains our overriding priority, we are maintaining close engagement with client companies and customers across the region to monitor developments closely, support Irish exporters, and provide timely market intelligence as the situation evolves.

“In a period defined by conflict and volatility, strong relationships and stable supply bases have become some of the most valuable strategic assets a business can possess,” Fitzgerald added.