Potatoes, milk and chicken among foods UK could see shortages of as a result of Iran war
The ongoing conflict involving Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are threatening global supply chains, prompting warnings of potential food shortages and price increases in UK supermarkets. Essential items like potatoes, milk, chicken, and fresh produce could be affected due to rising fuel, fertilizer, and energy costs. Experts predict food inflation could reach 10% by year-end, with impacts lasting up to a year. There are also concerns about panic buying returning, similar to patterns seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- ▪The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted fuel, fertilizer, and energy supplies, directly affecting food production and transportation costs.
- ▪UK farmers are facing higher input costs, leading some to skip planting crops due to unprofitability, which may reduce future food availability.
- ▪Shortages of carbon dioxide, crucial for meat packaging and refrigeration, could impact the supply of meat and dairy products.
- ▪Experts warn of food inflation reaching up to 10% by the end of the year, with lasting effects on prices and availability for up to 12 months.
- ▪There are growing fears of consumer panic buying, particularly of shelf-stable goods like toilet paper, bread, and meat, as prices rise.
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NewsUKHome NewsPotatoes, milk and chicken among foods UK could see shortages of as a result of Iran warFresh produce, meat, dairy, and even toilet paper could be impacted by the closure of the Strait of HormuzHarriette Boucher Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:37 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2966477","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/food-british-supermarkets-iran-war-uk-b2966477.html","title":"Potatoes, milk and chicken among foods UK could see shortages of due to Iran war"}}open image in…
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