Middle East war drives costs for growers up throughout whole chain
Source: VFD.com
plastics, fertilizers, substrates, investment decisions Middle East war drives costs for growers up throughout whole chain The consequences of the war in the Middle East are becoming increasingly evident throughout the horticulture chain. Growers looking ahead to the coming winter and the 2027 season face difficult decisions: order inputs in advance, wait for the situation to stabilize, or risk potential further price increases.
Energy prices A direct consequence of the war in the Middle East is the rise in energy and fuel prices, although natural gas prices have not yet reached the peak levels seen in 2022, when the war in Ukraine began. Hauliers simply cannot absorb these costs themselves, as the average profit margin in the transport sector is around 2%." But also other players act upon the rising prices: French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM has revised its Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) effective March 27, 2026, citing higher fuel prices linked to geopolitical developments in the Near and Middle East.
Why this matters: This matters when it gives operators a clearer way to manage water, nutrients, and root-zone risk. That kind of control usually improves both resource efficiency and crop consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do retrofit and environmental-control choices matter so much?
Because these decisions affect every crop cycle that follows. A better control strategy can improve consistency and efficiency, while a poor one can lock in operating drag.
What should operators focus on when reading design or retrofit stories?
They should focus on what changed operationally: better climate stability, lower energy use, improved crop balance, easier labor, or cleaner control over inputs.
