India has started emergency airlifts of fresh food to Dubai because the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, which has made it very hard for Gulf food supplies to get to Dubai. LuLu Group, a big store in the UAE, set up the activities to stop shortages because shipping routes are still blocked.
Crisis Background
The Straits of Hormuz blockade started in late February 2026 as a result of US-Israeli attacks on Iran, including killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to which the Iranian IRGC responded by attacking ships. This bottleneck sees 20% of global oil and important LNG, but also perishable imports for Gulf states such as UAE which depends on sea routes for up to 80-90% of its food. The closure of Jebel Ali Port and a 22% decline in regional air freight have only worsened the situation.
Airlift Details
More than 80,000 kg of Indian fruits and vegetables as well as meat were flown out of Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi and Dubai by Etihad Airways cargo flights on March 7, 2026 LuLu Group has confirmed 12,000 packages in initial shipments to stock its supermarkets and more charters are being scheduled. India is a critical sourcing center as it has a large agricultural production, and it’s nearby.
Supply Risks
According to Stefan Paul, CEO of logistics company Kuehne + Nagel, Dubai only has roughly 10 days’ worth of fresh food on hand. If disruptions continue, this might lead to shortages. Hormuz is the main way the Gulf countries get most of their perishable goods, and there aren’t many other options because of aircraft constraints. To get around marine blockades, retailers are now switching to more expensive air shipments.
Broader Impacts
Crude shot up 36% in just a week, putting at risk India’s energy imports: gold trade stands disrupted in Dubai. Qatar: All LNG production was halted, disrupting global flows such as to India. Nets some gains, but still fears prolonged closure could skyrocket prices of consumer goods across Asia US says it is still safe to pass through the strait, but insurance costs deter traffic.