Carnation farmers in Yongin and Pyeongtaek are facing critical shortages of plastic supplies due to instability in the Middle East [1, 2].

This disruption threatens the seasonal peak for floral farmers, as the lack of materials occurs just as demand surges for Parents' Day and Teachers' Day. The instability in the Middle East has hindered the supply of naphtha, a primary raw material used in the production of plastics [1, 2].

Because naphtha supplies have become unstable, plastic manufacturing plants have reduced their production levels [1, 2]. This ripple effect has led to a scarcity of essential farming supplies, including plastic flowerpots, packaging vinyl, and cardboard boxes [1, 2]. Farmers also reported shortages and price increases for fertilizers and cultivation soil [1, 2].

Agricultural sites in Gyeonggi Province are struggling to prepare shipments for the upcoming holidays. While these dates typically provide a significant financial boost to the industry, the lack of packaging materials makes it difficult to get products to market [1, 2].

An anchor for YTN said that the "sparks" of the Middle East situation have reached floral farms that were expecting a seasonal boom [1]. The reports highlight the vulnerability of local agriculture to global geopolitical shifts, as even specialized flower production relies on a complex chain of petrochemical derivatives [1, 2].

“The instability in the Middle East has hindered the supply of naphtha, a primary raw material used in the production of plastics.”

This situation illustrates the deep interdependence between global petrochemical markets and local agriculture. When geopolitical conflict disrupts the flow of naphtha, the impact extends beyond fuel and energy, affecting the basic tools of farming—from plastic pots to fertilizers. For South Korean farmers, this means that regional stability in the Middle East directly dictates their ability to capitalize on domestic cultural holidays.