Blow to Polish food exports. The culprit is the Strait of Hormuz

The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is severely impacting Polish food exporters, causing shipping costs to rise significantly and delivery times to extend. In 2025, Polish agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE reached substantial figures, but logistics issues are making it difficult to maintain these levels. Shipping times have increased from the standard 30 days to an average of 45-50 days, with some cases extending to 70 days. The situation is further complicated by the need for refrigerated transport for sensitive food products, which adds operational challenges. Alternative logistics routes are being explored, but these are also facing congestion and delays, hindering the export process. Air transport is gradually normalizing, but costs remain high and capacity is limited. Overall, Polish exporters are facing a challenging environment with rising costs and unpredictable delivery schedules.