Shipping & Logistics Panel at Pulses 26/
Trade disruptions test global supply chains

This discussion focused heavily on the impact of disruptions affecting global container shipping, particularly the closure of the Persian Gulf trade route and ongoing challenges in the Panama Canal. Experts described a market facing rising freight costs, longer delivery schedules and increased complexity in moving cargo to major pulse-consuming regions in the Middle East and South Asia.

They also examined broader structural trends shaping the logistics sector, including consolidation among ocean carriers, competition for container space from other agricultural commodities, and growing investments in port and transportation infrastructure across North America. While participants expressed confidence that freight rates could eventually soften due to excess vessel capacity and weaker global demand, they cautioned that supply chain disruptions may persist well into the next crop year. The panel concluded that early planning, stronger collaboration across the supply chain and continued investment in logistics infrastructure will be critical for maintaining reliable market access in an increasingly volatile trade environment.

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