At this point in time (May 12, 2026), leading global animal nutrition companies report manageable short-term impacts from geopolitical tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, though executives warn of mounting cost pressures and supply chain complexity that could intensify if regional conflicts persist.
Major industry players told Expana they have maintained operational continuity since early March despite increased logistics expenses and sourcing challenges.
Rising freight and raw material costs represent the most immediate challenge for companies operating in the region. Joaquim Fernandez Victoria, Global Director Operations at EW Nutrition, reported that while direct supply chain disruptions have not occurred, “sourcing has become increasingly complex and strained due to tighter global logistics flows and rising freight and raw material costs.”
Delivery delays have emerged primarily in conflict-affected areas due to constrained shipping routes, congested or blocked ports, and reduced vessel availability. EW Nutrition observed increased demand in the Middle East during March as customers accelerated shipments and reinforced local inventories. The company implemented early mitigation measures in early March to safeguard operational continuity.
Patrick Charlton, VP of Europe at Alltech, said his company “has managed to maintain a constant supply into our production facilities and to our customers, enabled by a global manufacturing footprint,” though certain ingredients face greater impact than others.
Fredrik Hjelmqvist, Head of Supply & Commercial Operations at dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health, also noted that “since early March, we have seen some indirect effects consistent with broader market trends, including longer lead times on certain routes and increased logistics complexity.” He added that the company’s “diversified sourcing model and active supply chain management have helped us continue to serve customers with a high level of reliability and transparency.”
The geopolitical nature of current tensions introduces significant uncertainty that distinguishes this crisis from past disruptions.
Janic Gouhier, CCPA Group Supply Chain Director, emphasized that the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz is primarily geopolitical in nature and introduces a high level of uncertainty, making it difficult to anticipate the duration of the conflict and its economic impact.
“In France, no supply disruptions have been observed at this stage, but concerns remain. Petrochemical-based products, such as methionine, vitamins E and A, betaines, and cholines, are still exposed, as they are directly dependent on the oil market,” Gouhier said.
Meanwhile, Nutreco, which does not source feed or raw materials from the Strait of Hormuz region, reported limited business impact, with minor disruptions affecting only customers located near the strait.
Also read: Animal Nutrition Sector Supply Chain Execs Eye Gradual Normalization Should Hormuz Shipping Resume
Written by Simon Duke
