UK could face gaps on supermarket shelves by summer if Iran war continues

Government contingency plans warn of potential summer shortages of meat and beverages due to CO2 supply chain disruption from the Strait of Hormuz. | Contesto: cronaca

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• UK could face gaps on supermarket shelves by summer if Iran war continues

Contesto

The UK government is actively developing contingency plans to address potential gaps on supermarket shelves this summer, driven by a looming shortage of carbon dioxide (CO2) critical for the food industry. The disruption stems from the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has jeopardized shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint for global energy and chemical supplies. Officials are preparing for a 'reasonable worst-case scenario' in which this key transit route remains closed, severing the flow of industrial CO2 used extensively in food production and packaging. Carbon dioxide is an indispensable, though often invisible, component of the modern food supply chain. It is used in the humane slaughter of poultry and pigs through controlled atmosphere stunning, and it is essential for creating the carbonation in soft drinks, beers, and ciders. Furthermore, CO2 extends the shelf life of packaged goods like salads and meats by displacing oxygen in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). A significant shortfall would therefore not be a matter of inconvenience but a direct threat to the availability and cost of staple items, from chicken breasts and pork chops to bottled beverages and pre-packaged meals. The vulnerability lies in the UK's reliance on imported CO2, much of which is derived from ammonia production—a process heavily concentrated in regions dependent on natural gas. The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a conduit for approximately a fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas and a quarter of its global oil consumption. Any prolonged closure or severe restriction of traffic through the strait, whether from military action, mining, or heightened insurance costs, sends shockwaves through global energy markets and the derivative industries that depend on them, including fertilizer and CO2 production. This is not the first time the UK has faced a CO2 crisis. In 2018 and again in 2021, production issues at domestic fertilizer plants—often linked to high natural gas prices—led to severe CO2 shortages that disrupted abattoirs and threatened food supplies, prompting government intervention to...

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Categoria: cronaca