São Paulo – The countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will increase their food imports by more than 100% by 2020. The increase is meant to meet the rapidly growing population in the region, at a rate three times higher than the world average. The information was published by the Times of Oman newspaper.
Qatar should boast the highest percentage increase, at an import forecast of US$ 3.3 billion by 2020, an increase of 153% compared with the current figure. Value-wise, Saudi Arabia should post the highest increase, with imports of US$ 35.2 billion, 105% more than the current figure of US$ 16.8 billion. Saudi Arabia currently accounts for 64.9% of total food consumption in the GCC.
In 2020, the United Arab Emirates should import US$ 8.4 billion in foodstuffs (133% more than the current figure); Kuwait, US$ 5.3 billion (130% increase), Oman, US$ 4.8 billion (128% increase) and Bahrain US$ 1.6 billion (128% increase).
Food consumption in the region grows at an annual rate of 4.6%, and is expected to average at 51.5 million tonnes per year from 2011 to 2015. Due to low agricultural production and scarce water resources, the Gulf countries are forced to import 90% of their food.
According to Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, the spokesperson for the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, aside from rapid population growth, factors such as rising per capita income and fast urbanization are the main boosters of GCC food imports. “Food security is of prime concern and a major challenge for the regional governments,” he said in an interview to the Times of Oman.
In 2010, Brazil exported the equivalent of US$ 3.35 billion in food to the Gulf countries. From January to October 2011, the country has shipped the equivalent of US$ 3.91 billion in food to the region. The main items imported by the Arabs during these two periods were beef, poultry, sugar and grain.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
