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GCC Food Imports To Hit $53.1 Billion Putting Security Issues Top Of SIAL Agenda |
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Food security and the associated costs of importing food into the region tops the agenda at SIAL Middle East, the region’s fastest-growing professional trade exhibition for the food, drink and hospitality industries, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, which returns to Abu Dhabi on 24-26 November 2014 at the National Exhibition Centre. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, GCC food import demand is forecast to hit US$53.1 billion by 2020, up from US$25.8 billion just a decade ago, and with 80-90% reliance on imported foodstuffs, the impact of price increases caused by poor harvests, political instability, supply chain interruptions and a non-agricultural landscape could have devastating long term food security consequences. “Food security throughout the region will no doubt once again dominate show floor discussion, as regional demand for food imports rises due to an expanding population expected to reach 50 million by 2020, a booming tourism industry, increasing per capita income and limited water resources,” said Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director of Communication and Community Service Division at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and Chairman of the SIAL Middle East organizing committee. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2014 Global Food Security Index, which ranks countries based on food affordability, availability, nutritional quality and safety, placed Kuwait in 28th place, leading the region with an overall 72.2% rating, followed by the UAE in 30th spot with a score of 70.9% and Saudi Arabia 32nd at 69.6%. “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,” added Al Rayssi. The Abu Dhabi farming industry is reportedly set to produce up to 38,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables in the winter months while Qatar is similarly looking into sustainable agricultural development. However, the high cost of large-scale domestic agriculture initiatives has proved extremely challenging with Saudi Arabia, for example, calling time on its experimental wheat production programme with plans to revert to an import model by 2016. Commenting on SIAL’s expanding role in providing a valid platform for the region’s food import industry, Joanne Cook, SIAL Managing Director, SIAL Middle East, said: “SIAL Middle East which is held in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), has grown rapidly since its inauguration in 2010 and last year attracted 17,000 trade visitors, a 37% increase over 2012. The three-day event also hosted 700 exhibitors from 52 countries, which will be eclipsed this year with over 1,000 exhibitors and 25 national pavilions already confirmed,” she said. According to Alpen Capital’s 2013 GCC Food Industry Report, the GCC region will consume 49.1 million tonnes of food annually by the end of 2017 with the UAE currently the largest per capita consumer at 1,486 kilogrammes (kgs) per year. This tops neighbouring Oman at 1,095 kgs per capita per annum, with Saudi Arabia at 872 kgs, Qatar with 852kgs, Kuwait at 634kgs and Bahrain 453 kgs. “The report indicates that over the three years, food consumption in the region is expected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.1% and so it is imperative that we continue to diversify our import sources and proactively seek out partnerships with other countries and producers who are willing to become part of the food security solution,” added Cook. The show will also include a new feature dedicated to the manufacturing process. The co-located Middle East Pack exhibition will showcase packaging, processing, ingredients, printing and handling industries companies for the food and beverage sector. The three-day event also features the SIAL hosted buyer programme, La Cuisine by SIAL an international competition for chefs and the SIAL Innovation Area, showcasing the world’s most innovative food and beverage products, including winners from the global competitions from events in China, Brazil, Canada, Paris and The Philippines. SIAL Middle East is part of SIAL Group, the world’s largest network of professional B2B food exhibitions which include SIAL Paris, SIAL China, SIAL Canada, SIAL Brazil, SIAL ASEAN Manila and SIAL InterFOOD Jakarta. For more information, please go to: www.sialme.com |
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