09 November 2011
MUSCAT: Food imports to Oman will reach $4.8 billion by 2020, indicating a growth of 128 per cent from $2.1 billion in 2010.
Food consumption in Oman, which meets around 80 per cent of its food requirement through imports, is projected to grow by 5.3 per cent from 2.6 million tonnes in 2011 to 3.2 million tonnes in 2015.
In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries too, the value of food imports will more than double over the next decade to satisfy a growing regional population with more money to spend as the process of urbanisation continues, said a press release from Economic Intelligence Unit.
New research shows as food consumption increases, total GCC food imports will reach $53.1 billion by 2020, an increase of 105 per cent from $25.8. Rising at a rate of 4.6 per cent annually from 2011-2015 in a region low on agricultural land and natural water sources, and forced to import 90 per cent of its food products, food consumption in the GCC will reach 51.5 million tonnes per year during the period.
Underlining huge opportunities for food and equipment manufacturers and suppliers, the latest estimates have been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit ahead of SIAL Middle East 2011, the region's professional business platform for the food, drink and hospitality industry. SIAL Middle East 2011 will take place from November 21 to 23 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).
Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, chairman of the higher organising committee for SIAL Middle East and the official spokesperson of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) says that population growth, increasing income per capita, and rapid urbanisation are the main demand factors driving food imports into the GCC region.
Growing population
"GCC states currently import 90 per cent of all food products," said Al Reyaysa. "With its population growing at three times the global average, the GCC region is increasingly depending on imports to meet food requirements. Adding to the challenge is the fact that GCC countries are some of the most water scarce in the world, with only 1.4 per cent of land suitable for agriculture.
Food security therefore is of prime concern and major challenge for the regional governments."
Food imports to Saudi Arabia, which currently accounts for 64.9 per cent of total GCC food consumption, will reach $35.2 billion by 2020, a rise of 105 per cent from $16.8 billion.
UAE food imports will grow to $8.4 billion, a 133 per cent increase from $3.6 billion. Kuwait's food imports will reach $5.3 billion (130 per cent), Qatar's $3.3 billion (153 per cent), and Bahrain's $1.6 billion (128 per cent).
With just 0.1 per cent of its land is arable and agriculture contributing only 1.4 per cent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), Oman, like the UAE and Qatar, imports over 75 per cent of its total poultry meat and red meat consumed.
The Sultanate produces nearly half of its total consumption of vegetables, and like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, produces around 70 per cent of its total fruit consumption need.
MUSCAT: Food imports to Oman will reach $4.8 billion by 2020, indicating a growth of 128 per cent from $2.1 billion in 2010.
Food consumption in Oman, which meets around 80 per cent of its food requirement through imports, is projected to grow by 5.3 per cent from 2.6 million tonnes in 2011 to 3.2 million tonnes in 2015.
In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries too, the value of food imports will more than double over the next decade to satisfy a growing regional population with more money to spend as the process of urbanisation continues, said a press release from Economic Intelligence Unit.
New research shows as food consumption increases, total GCC food imports will reach $53.1 billion by 2020, an increase of 105 per cent from $25.8. Rising at a rate of 4.6 per cent annually from 2011-2015 in a region low on agricultural land and natural water sources, and forced to import 90 per cent of its food products, food consumption in the GCC will reach 51.5 million tonnes per year during the period.
Underlining huge opportunities for food and equipment manufacturers and suppliers, the latest estimates have been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit ahead of SIAL Middle East 2011, the region's professional business platform for the food, drink and hospitality industry. SIAL Middle East 2011 will take place from November 21 to 23 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).
Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, chairman of the higher organising committee for SIAL Middle East and the official spokesperson of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) says that population growth, increasing income per capita, and rapid urbanisation are the main demand factors driving food imports into the GCC region.
Growing population
"GCC states currently import 90 per cent of all food products," said Al Reyaysa. "With its population growing at three times the global average, the GCC region is increasingly depending on imports to meet food requirements. Adding to the challenge is the fact that GCC countries are some of the most water scarce in the world, with only 1.4 per cent of land suitable for agriculture.
Food security therefore is of prime concern and major challenge for the regional governments."
Food imports to Saudi Arabia, which currently accounts for 64.9 per cent of total GCC food consumption, will reach $35.2 billion by 2020, a rise of 105 per cent from $16.8 billion.
UAE food imports will grow to $8.4 billion, a 133 per cent increase from $3.6 billion. Kuwait's food imports will reach $5.3 billion (130 per cent), Qatar's $3.3 billion (153 per cent), and Bahrain's $1.6 billion (128 per cent).
With just 0.1 per cent of its land is arable and agriculture contributing only 1.4 per cent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), Oman, like the UAE and Qatar, imports over 75 per cent of its total poultry meat and red meat consumed.
The Sultanate produces nearly half of its total consumption of vegetables, and like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, produces around 70 per cent of its total fruit consumption need.
© Times of Oman 2011
