West Asia accounts for a significant share of India’s agri-food trade, with countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran among the major buyers. Any escalation in the conflict could affect shipping routes and insurance costs, particularly if maritime transport through strategic corridors becomes unstable. For exporters, these disruptions could translate into higher freight costs and delays in product deliveries.

Dairy products form part of the broader export portfolio potentially exposed to the crisis. India’s agri-food exporters rely heavily on stable trade flows to maintain competitiveness in global markets, particularly in regions with strong demand for milk powders and processed dairy goods. A prolonged disruption could reduce export volumes and affect supply chains linking producers, processors and overseas buyers.

Beyond logistics challenges, analysts also point to financial risks such as currency volatility, rising transportation expenses and potential trade restrictions. These factors could create additional pressure on exporters and complicate market access in a region already facing economic uncertainty. Businesses operating in international dairy and food trade are closely monitoring developments.