The war in the Middle East is disrupting global shipping routes, making whey harder and more expensive to source for canned drinks producers that rely on it for functional products. This is forcing brands—especially smaller ones—to rethink sourcing strategies, diversify suppliers, and build more resilient supply chains.
Over the past few months, producers in the canned drinks industry have been feeling the knock-on effects of the war in the Middle East in ways that might not seem obvious at first glance. One ingredient that has quietly become harder to source is whey — the protein-rich by-product of cheese making that has become hugely popular in functional canned drinks, protein sodas and ready-to-drink nutrition products. For brands trying to innovate in this fast-growing space, securing a reliable supply of whey is proving more complicated than usual.
A big part of the challenge comes down to logistics. Much of the world’s whey and whey protein ingredients travel long distances before they reach UK manufacturers, often moving through complex global shipping routes. With heightened tensions and disruption around key shipping lanes in the Middle East — particularly routes that connect Asia and Europe — freight times have become longer, insurance costs have risen, and some shipping companies are avoiding certain routes altogether. The result is delays, higher transport costs and greater uncertainty around delivery schedules for ingredient suppliers.
For canned drinks brands, this creates a tricky balancing act. Product development timelines depend on consistent ingredient availability, and whey is not something that can always be swapped out easily without changing the taste, texture or nutritional profile of a drink. Smaller and emerging drinks brands can feel the pressure most, as they may not have the purchasing power or long-term supply contracts that larger beverage companies rely on to secure stock.
In moments like this, flexibility becomes essential. Drinks companies may need to look at diversifying suppliers, planning production further ahead, or exploring alternative functional ingredients where possible. For producers in the rapidly evolving canned drinks category, the lesson is a familiar one: global events can ripple through supply chains in unexpected ways, and building resilience into sourcing strategies is becoming just as important as creating the next great flavour.
From concept to can, we're your dedicated production partner in the UK's thriving beverage market.Start your journey with us - reach out to get started
Experience our modern canning facility firsthand with a guided tour of our production line, quality control processes, and development lab.
You'll meet our expert team and see exactly how we can bring your beverage vision to life, from initial concept through to finished product.
