Air Cargo Disruption Leaves Fresh Produce Shipments Stranded As Middle East Conflict Intensifies

Fresh produce shipments are among the time-sensitive goods caught up in growing disruption to global air freight after escalating conflict in the Middle East sharply reduced cargo capacity and forced airlines to suspend or reroute flights.

Industry executives warn that the closure or restriction of key regional airspace — including major logistics hubs such as Dubai and Doha — has already left shipments ranging from fresh produce to aircraft components stranded at airports or awaiting alternative transport routes.

According to aviation and logistics consultancy Aevean, global air cargo capacity fell by around 22% between 28 February and 3 March compared with a comparable period earlier in the year, as airlines halted passenger and freighter services through the region.

Fresh Produce Supply Chains Under Pressure

The disruption is particularly challenging for the fresh produce sector, which relies heavily on fast air freight connections to move highly perishable goods between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

With capacity constrained, shipments of fruits, vegetables and other perishables risk delays that can quickly erode shelf life and value. Logistics firms say the sudden loss of flights is already creating bottlenecks at key export points in Southeast Asia and China, where cargo is piling up while exporters seek alternative routes.

Air freight rates have also begun to climb. Prices have risen by more than 6% on Southeast Asia–Europe routes and around 5% on South Asia–United States lanes, reflecting the sudden squeeze on available cargo space.

For fresh produce exporters, higher freight costs can quickly make air shipments uneconomic, potentially forcing a shift to slower sea routes or delaying consignments entirely.

Major Cargo Corridors Disrupted

The Middle East acts as a critical crossroads for global air logistics, connecting Asia with Europe and North America. The conflict has severely affected this corridor, with cargo flows on the Asia–Middle East–Europe route dropping by about 39% since the escalation began.

Airlines based in the Gulf — including major cargo operators — have been particularly affected by airspace restrictions and flight cancellations. The sudden disruption has forced airlines and logistics companies to reroute aircraft on longer paths or cancel flights entirely.

Some analysts suggest Chinese carriers could gain an advantage because they are still able to fly through Russian airspace, shortening routes between Asia and Europe compared with Western competitors restricted by sanctions.

Knock-On Effects For Retail And Fresh Supply Chains

For retailers and fresh produce suppliers in Europe, prolonged air cargo disruption could lead to tighter availability of certain imported products that typically rely on rapid air freight — including premium berries, herbs, speciality vegetables and other high-value perishables.

Industry experts warn that if the conflict continues, supply chains built around “just-in-time” logistics could face mounting delays and higher costs, potentially affecting product availability and pricing further along the chain.

While alternative shipping routes and transport modes may absorb some of the disruption, logistics specialists caution that replacing the capacity of Gulf air cargo hubs will be difficult in the short term.