(MENAFN) The GCC's regional food import is expected to increase to reach over USD53 billion by 2020, which is almost double compared to USD25.8 billion in imports a decade ago, Arabian Business reported.
This increase in food imports is mostly attributed to a strong rise in population in the GCC countries, as well as the impact of price increases caused by poor harvests, political instability, supply chain interruptions and a non-agricultural landscape, which all resulted in these countries to rely almost by 80-90 percent on imported food supplies which might result in a devastating long term food security consequences if not dealt with properly.
The GCC region is expected to consume 49.1 million tons of food annually by the end of 2017, while currently the UAE is the largest consumer at 1.486 kg per year followed by 1.095kg per capita per annum, then Saudi Arabia at 872 kg, Qatar with 852 kg, Kuwait at 634 kg and Bahrain with 453 kg.
"While the region's own food production capacity is naturally stymied by a lack of arable land, there is much being done to address long term food security from significant government investment into farming projects from Eastern Europe to Africa, as well as domestic initiatives, which while incurring substantial costs, are nonetheless adding much-needed supply at source," director of Communication and Community Service Division at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) said regarding this issue.
The GCC countries are attempting to rectify the solution, with the Abu
Dhabi farming industry expected to produce up to 38.000 tons of fruit and vegetables in the winter months while Qatar is similarly looking into sustainable agricultural development, but not all countries are being successful with Saudi Arabia, for example facing difficulties regarding its agricultural initiative.
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