Bord Bia: Middle East 'strategically important market' for Irish exports
The Middle East remains "a strategically important market for Irish food and drink exports" according to the regional manager for Bord Bia in the Middle East.
But Kieran Fitzgerald has warned that geopolitical tensions across the region are starting to "create significant disruption to global logistics".
According to Fitzgerald Irish food and drink exports to the region are currently valued at around €370 million - which represents an 11% year-on-year growth on 2025 figures.
"Dairy products continue to dominate Irish exports to the region, accounting for approximately 85% of total export value, followed by prepared consumer foods and drinks," Bord Bia's regional manager in the Middle East said.
But flight cancellations, shipping delays, extended routing times, and rising transportation costs "are placing pressure on supply chains" according to Fitzgerald.
He said cargo capacity is now tightening, and freight rates are also expected to increase in the short term.
Middle East
"For Irish exporters, the most immediate exposure is in fresh and time-sensitive food categories.
"Many customers currently hold adequate stock levels in market; however, exporters expect short- to medium-term volatility in supply and sales should disruption persist.
"The foodservice sector - an increasingly important channel for Irish exports - remains operational in the short term, supported by high hotel occupancy arising from stranded passengers," the regional manager for Bord Bia in the Middle East.
According to Fitzgerald several Irish exporters also have substantial volumes currently in transit, and the outlook remains "highly uncertain and increasingly difficult to predict".
"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," he added.
Conflict
According to analysts at Rabobank there is widespread agreement that "the magnitude of the impact from the Middle East conflict"will depend on the length of time that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed.
This is one of the world's busiest shipping channels and lies between Oman and Iran.
