For many people, rice is a dietary staple consumed several times a week. Whether served alongside curry, paired with protein such as prawns or chicken, or stuffed into sushi, its versatility and taste make it a popular choice worldwide.
However, regular purchasers of rice may soon notice higher prices at the checkout. Rice producers have warned that UK brands could face supply constraints and rising costs over the coming months if the conflict in Iran persists.
Despite the current ceasefire, the war is not yet over and continues to affect food production. According to The Grocer, rice producers across Asia are already reporting war-driven surges in fuel and fertiliser costs, which are beginning to limit future supplies of the grain. This could result in shortages or price increases.
Harvest-ready rice fields are lying idle, and farmers are deciding whether to skip planting for the coming season, reported the South China Morning Post last week. Tens of millions of smallholders are struggling to find affordable crop nutrients and the diesel needed to run tractors, irrigation pumps, and rice planters.
The Rice Association, which represents the UK's major rice brands, told The Grocer this week that it is closely monitoring the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on rice availability. While global rice stocks are currently relatively high, the association cautioned that the conflict will add cost to rice production.
Southeast Asia is expected to be the worst-affected region in the short term, due to its window for fertiliser application required for rice cultivation. Price increases are already being felt across Asia, according to Rice News Today, with costs reportedly soaring as the fallout from the Iran war threatens supplies of the popular grain.
Last week, the BBC also reported that the UK could face further food shortages by summer, including chicken and pork, should the Iran war persist. Government officials drew up a worst-case scenario involving the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to the supply of carbon dioxide, which is used in the slaughter of certain animals and in food preservation.
A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said it would continue working closely with businesses to address the impact of the war. They added that reasonable worst-case scenarios are a planning tool used by experts and are not a prediction of future events.
