Red Sea attacks disrupt food trade and may result in higher grocery prices

Longer route: A container crossing the Gulf of Suez towards the Red Sea. Vessels loaded with foodstuffs are among those avoiding Houthi attacks in the key waterway by sailing around Africa. — Reuters

CHAOS in the Red Sea is starting to disrupt shipments of produce from coffee to fruit – and threatening to halt a slowdown in food inflation that brought some relief to strained consumers.

Vessels loaded with foodstuffs are among those avoiding Houthi attacks in the key waterway by sailing around Africa, a longer and costlier route. But unlike gas, oil and consumer goods cargoes that have also been affected, lengthier shipping times risk making perishable foods unsellable.