Iran war impacts Albany restaurants and delivery drivers

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has continued to strain the
global economy, and it’s limiting paychecks for delivery drivers and increasing costs for
Albany restaurants.

Julio and Albaro Xiloj are brothers and have owned Camila’s Pizzeria and Grill for more than
7 years now. Albaro Xiloj said in an interview with NEWS10’s Bianca Caputo that he hasn’t
seen price inflation like this since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Xiloj’s buy the majority of their produce from Restaurant Depot, including tomatoes and
lettuce. Julio Xiloj said produce prices have sharply increased, and they’ve struggled to deal
with rising gas prices harming their delivery services.

“Tomatoes there used to be $19 two months ago,” said Julio Xiloj. “Now it’s $69 to $70, that’s
a lot.”

Julio and Albaro said rising costs across the board have made them consider raising their
prices if something doesn’t change soon.

Sales Manager Michael Giambrone at the OEC group works to determine where customers
cargo is placed on freight ships.

“We could see a potential shortage of everything you know,” said Giambrone. “Which in turn
will make the price of everything rise.”

Giambrone said freight companies are reacting to uncertainty in the conflict and sending out
less ships, which is making it take longer to deliver goods.

“We’re already seeing the carriers trying to implement emergency fuel surcharges as soon
as tomorrow,” said Giambrone. “They’re going to be relying on what’s in their warehouse,
they’re going to sell that for as much as they can and then they’re probably going to hold off
for a while.”

Delivery driver at Cusato’s Eatery, John Coyne, does more than 10 orders every day in his
Jeep. But he said it’s taking a toll on his wallet.

“It’s kind of hard to keep up with doing deliveries and wasting gas,” said Coyne. “It feels like
everything I put in my tank is just coming right out of my paycheck.”

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