Iran War Chokes 30% of Seaborne Methanol Supply as Pistachio Exports Fall 30%
Updated
Updated · The Conversation · May 26
Iran War Chokes 30% of Seaborne Methanol Supply as Pistachio Exports Fall 30%
4 articles · Updated · The Conversation · May 26
Iran’s non-oil exports are seizing up as war, a US naval blockade and strikes on gas infrastructure halt methanol shipments, disrupt pistachio trade and further squeeze cement flows.
More than 30% of global seaborne methanol supply has been knocked out after Iranian exports effectively stopped and Qatar’s Ras Laffan and Mesaieed complexes suspended operations; China’s eastern users are paying up to 500 yuan more per tonne for domestic supply.
Pistachio exports have fallen about 30% year on year as ports near the Strait of Hormuz were hit, pushing prices to $4.57 a pound after drought-weakened 2025 harvests had already tightened the market.
Iran’s 70 million-tonne cement industry was already constrained by gas shortages and power rationing, and wartime port disruptions are now hitting key buyers including Iraq and Kuwait.
The wider shock extends beyond oil: the Hormuz closure has rattled energy markets, while the blockade had already cost Iran nearly $5 billion in oil revenue by early May.
How will this 'dual blockade' in the Middle East permanently reshape global trade routes and energy security?
With vital aid stranded, what is the international plan to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the region?
Beyond bombs and blockades, how is the silent cyber war shaping this escalating conflict?
Global Economic Shock: The 2026 Strait of Hormuz Closure and Its Cascading Impact on Energy, Chemicals, and Food Security
Overview
In February 2026, the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, rapidly escalating into a major conflict. This led to immediate disruptions in global markets as energy facilities in Iran and Qatar were attacked, causing oil prices to surge. The war severely impacted shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz, sparking widespread concerns about energy security and supply chain stability. These disruptions had profound consequences for oil and gas markets and the broader global economy, highlighting how quickly regional conflict can trigger worldwide economic fallout and expose vulnerabilities in interconnected supply chains.