Pressure on fresh produce: logistics costs, energy, and fertilizers rise

In our "In Graphics" series, we recount some of the stories that are moving the sector, this time the consequences that the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is generating on fresh produce. Feel free to consult the other articles by clicking here. What began as a geopolitical crisis is now spreading through energy markets, logistics networks, and ultimately, the economy of food production. Information from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and recent freight market data point to a supply chain under increasing pressure, where costs are rising faster than the system can absorb. At the center of the disruption is energy. Fuel prices have risen sharply in various regions, with diesel increasing between 11% and 49% depending on the market. For an industry based on speed and temperature control, these increases are not just gradual but structural. Cold chain logistics, from refrigerated trucks to maritime containers, depend heavily on fuel stability. As surcharges are ...