Caitríona Redmond: The surprising ways Iran conflict could hit our pockets 

From clothing and helium balloons to taking the stairs and turning off the air conditioning, the Iran conflict may impact your way of living in the months ahead

Helium supplies are impacted by the conflict, which could have an effect on the price and availability of helium balloons. 

This week, I learned about a third of the world’s helium is produced in Qatar.

After an Iranian strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG plant in March, considerable damage was caused to the manufacturer, impacting up to 14% of the world’s supply of helium. It has been reported the damage could take up to five years to repair, and, as it is, exports from Qatar are already impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, limiting a third of the world’s supply.

Helium is an essential component in birthday balloons, but it is not just used for celebrations. The gas is also used for cooling semiconductors and MRI scanners. Those semiconductors are an important part of the AI revolution and gaming consoles.

Bad news if you’re a fan of high-resolution computer gaming or using AI. Triple if you’re hoping for a birthday balloon.

It led me to think about some of the more surprising ways the current conflict in Iran could affect your life in the months ahead.

Eventually, there will be increased shipping costs for all products. The higher cost of fuel has a knock-on effect on the cost of distribution, and in time, we can expect to pay higher prices at the till because of higher shipping costs.

In spectacularly bad news for clothing manufacturers and suppliers, the increase in the cost of oil is a double blow. Garments made from polyester and acrylic are going to be in shorter supply and potentially cost more. Both fibres are oil-derived.

Will a GAA jersey start increasing in price? GAA jerseys are made from a fabric called ‘Koolite’, which is 100% knitted polyester, and the 2025 Cork adult jersey costs €78 online. Apply the same logic to soccer and rugby jerseys and team kits. It could be a very expensive 2026 for some sports fans. Maybe it’s time to dig out our vintage shirts instead of chasing the latest version.

The good news is that more ethically produced natural fibres are far more sustainable, so always check the label before buying the newest fashion item. I’m looking for materials like cotton and wool rather than artificial alternatives. Bonus points if the garment is made from organic cotton and has fewer air miles to get to the shop.

Upcycling and second-hand items will become more popular. Much of the clothing we buy is manufactured in Asia. The combination of increased shipping costs and delays caused by conflict in Iran has started to impact fashion houses, with Zara textiles reportedly piling up in Bangladeshi warehouses.

Less fast fashion is great news for our wardrobe archives. Maybe we’ll have more swap shops and recycling what we have. This could be great news for our household budgets. Vinted and other online sales tools are rapidly becoming more popular, and this is a sign of what is to come.

The cost of a Christmas cake may increase. Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers and processors of sugarcane. As the cost of fuel has increased, processors are moving their plants from producing sugar to bioethanol. When the supply of sugar declines, the cost of sugar increases. Sugar is sold in futures; for now, we will notice little impact on our shopping baskets. Towards the end of the year, though, this decrease in supply may impact the price of cakes, biscuits, and jams.

That’s not ideal for home bakers, but it’s good news if you’re trying to reduce the amount of sugar you eat.

Could less commuting be on the cards? If the energy crisis continues to impact us, and we get some sunshine after all the rain at the start of this year, the cost of air conditioning modern buildings may become prohibitive. 

We can expect more work-from-home requests as some organisations strive to keep their running costs under control. This may be a welcome move considering the cost of the daily commute, so long as teachers can continue to afford their journey to work. I think we all have a form of PTSD from homeschooling while trying to work remotely during covid.

Other facilities that rely on air conditioning may increase prices or reduce operating hours. These could include cinemas, theatres, and large shopping centres.

Escalators could be turned off, and we may have to get used to using the stairs more. The Philippines recently recommended only limited use of lifts and escalators, and in Egypt, shopping centre operations have been reduced to conserve energy.

Finally, anybody who has already planned and paid in advance for a summer holiday, including flights, may end up with some very smug looks on their face. The cost of flights is going to increase due in part to the price of fuel, but also due to increased demand.

Airlines have already restricted their flights to the Middle East, and I don’t know very many tourists who are willing to travel in the area now. If you’ve locked in your price for 2026, expect the cost next year to be far higher. If you’re only shopping now, allow for higher costs. Tighten your purse or wallet.

REDMOND RECOMMENDS

If you’ve got a chocolate surplus after Easter Sunday, don’t forget you can freeze chocolate, because it doesn’t need to be eaten all at once. Chocolate not your thing? Consider donating your unopened boxes to your local food bank or homeless charity.

In an uncertain world, travel insurance is more important than ever. Most policies will also cover you for trips in Ireland as well as internationally. It’s well worth taking out an annual policy to cover the cost of several holidays rather than insuring each trip individually. Expect to pay about €150 for a family policy.