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Sapporo Suspends Pokka Exports to Mideast as Iran Tensions Roil Trade

Sapporo Holdings Ltd. has halted exports of its Pokka beverage brand to the Middle East, citing demand concerns tied to escalating regional tensions involving Iran. The geopolitical instability is reshaping global trade flows across multiple sectors. Middle East supply disruptions are boosting demand for Chinese metal exports, especially aluminum, as fossil fuel prices soar. U.S. crude oil exports have reached record levels as Gulf Coast terminals capture market share. Defense contractors including Rheinmetall AG report heightened demand for air defense systems throughout the region, with plans to double installations by late 2027. Elevated energy prices are stoking inflation concerns, pressuring precious metals and creating economic uncertainty for supply chains worldwide.