The Middle East conflict has triggered one of the most significant and concurrent disruptions to agricultural trade, energy supply, and global logistics in recent history. For feed additive companies, the compounding effects of the Red Sea/Bab el-Mandeb closure, the newly disrupted Strait of Hormuz, rising oil prices, supply chain rerouting, and shifting demand patterns in the world’s fastest-growing feed markets constitute both immediate operational risk and medium-term strategic opportunity.
As of February 28, 2026, the US–Israel joint military strikes on Iran have triggered an effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM have all suspended Gulf operations. This is now a TIER-1 supply chain emergency for the feed additive industry.
The current crisis is the product of nearly 30 months of sequential escalation. Understanding the timeline is essential for assessing the cumulative impact on the feed and animal nutrition industry. Read more