Fuel may rise within weeks, while grocery costs could take months to reach households.Last updated: August 04, 2026 | 04:004 MIN READPeople queue up to refuel their vehicles at a gas station in Chennai as oil price spike caused by the war in the Middle East has sparked exasperation at petrol pumps around Asia, where many economies are heavily dependent on fossil fuel imports.AFPDubai: Consumers across Asia could begin paying more for petrol within weeks if disruption at Bab al-Mandab continues, while higher airfares and grocery costs may take longer to reach household budgets.Oil prices and financial markets would react immediately, but the pace at which consumers feel the impact would differ across countries depending on fuel pricing systems, subsidies, energy sources and the duration of the disruption.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Markets with liberalised fuel prices could see a faster increase at the pump, while regulated prices and subsidies may delay the impact in other economies.“Financial markets and, in particular, oil prices react immediately, which affects petrol prices," explained Louis Guy Detata, Founder of UEXO.com. "However, retail fuel prices would typically respond with a lag depending on each country's pricing mechanism.”Airfares could rise before grocery billsAirlines could adjust fares relatively quickly if jet fuel costs increase and remain elevated, while food prices would take longer to move through transport networks and retail supply chains.“A significant disruption in the waterway could be felt immediately in energy markets, while consumers would typically see higher petrol prices within a few weeks, depending on domestic pricing mechanisms," noted Jawaher Rashed, Owner and founder of SKOUB company. "Airfares could rise if oil and jet fuel prices increase and stay at elevated levels, while grocery prices would likely increase more gradually over multiple months as higher transport costs filter through.”Electricity bills would depend on how individual countries generate power. Economies with greater reliance on renewables, nuclear energy or coal could face a more limited impact than those dependent on imported oil and gas.Grocery costs would likely take the longest to reach consumers because higher fuel, freight, insurance and inventory expenses would need time to move through supply chains.Many Asian buyers would likely seek to diversify crude imports by increasing purchases from producers such as the United States, Brazil and West Africa as Russian oil remains sanctioned. However, global spare production capacity and logistical constraints limit how quickly these alternative suppliers can replace Middle Eastern exports.Louis Guy Detata Founder of UEXO.comAsian oil importers face greater exposureLarge net energy importers would face the greatest pressure, particularly India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and several Southeast Asian countries that depend heavily on imported crude oil and refined products.Economies with limited domestic energy production and weaker public finances could find it more difficult to protect households and businesses from sustained increases.Lower-income families would face greater pressure because transport, food and electricity account for a larger share of their spending. Manufacturing, aviation, shipping and logistics businesses would also contend with higher operating costs.“Fuel subsidies and oil reserves can provide an effective short-term buffer. However, sustained shortages can blunt any relief as reserves dwindle and prolonged subsidies can place considerable strain on government budgets,” Detata said.Rashed said such measures could limit the first impact but would not fully protect consumers during an extended disruption.“Fuel subsidies and strategic reserves can cushion the initial shock, but they are generally designed to provide temporary relief and cannot offset a prolonged disruption.”Longer voyages would raise shipping costsShips avoiding Bab al-Mandab could be rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, extending journey times and increasing fuel use, vessel operating expenses and pressure on available shipping capacity.War-risk insurance premiums could also increase for vessels operating near areas considered exposed to greater risk.Longer shipping routes combined with higher insurance fees and other costs could raise freight costs on affected routes. The cumulative effect across fuel, transport, and imported products could contribute to broader inflationary pressures.