Trade volume through the Suez Canal, already impacted by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, has decreased by 42 percent over the past two months, according to the United Nations.

The UN expressed concerns about the repercussions on global trade as a whole.

Jan Hoffmann, an official at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), expressed deep concern about the attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea, which are increasing disruptions in trade linked to geopolitical and climate-related factors.

According to UNCTAD, the weekly number of container ship transits has dropped by 67 percent on a yearly basis.

Since November, the Houthis have targeted any ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden associated with the Israeli Occupation, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The UNCTAD expert emphasized that disruptions in Red Sea trade are worrisome, especially since "over 80 percent" of global goods trade occurs by sea, and "other important routes are also coming under pressure."

Significant disruptions in the Black Sea passage occurred after the Russo-Ukrainian war, causing a considerable increase in global food prices in the subsequent months.

Due to drought, water levels in the Panama Canal have significantly decreased, leading to reduced traffic, according to AFP. 

The UN-affiliated organization noted that "prolonged disruptions in major trade routes can affect global supply chains, resulting in delayed delivery of goods, increased costs, and the risk of inflation," expressing particular concern about global food prices.