Government is assessing potential risks to food security as the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global supply chains and push up delivery costs.
Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK told Tynwald that while supplies remain stable, pricing volatility and transport pressures are now under weekly review.
Mr Cannan said an extraordinary meeting of the Economic and National Strategy Board had been convened to examine the possible knock‑on effects of the crisis, including food imports, freight costs and the resilience of the island’s supply routes.
The board will now meet every week “to ensure our position is kept under close and coordinated review” .
Supply Risks
Onchan MHK Julie Edge warned that delivery costs for suppliers “will be significantly higher if this continues”, raising concerns about the impact on vulnerable households.
The Chief Minister acknowledged food security as a “critical matter”, confirming this is the third time the administration has had to review supply‑chain resilience in recent years.
Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover highlighted pressures on the agricultural sector, noting that “the price of fertiliser has skyrocketed”, adding further strain on local producers already facing higher import costs.
Mr Cannan reassured members that “there is no threat to our supply chain” at present and that goods “are being delivered as normal”, but said the government would act if the situation “changed fundamentally”.
He urged businesses and industry bodies to report any emerging pressures so that government can respond quickly and based on evidence.
The Chief Minister said the island has “significant reserves” to intervene if required, but warned against “knee‑jerk reactions” while the geopolitical situation continues to evolve.
