Food security threatened by instability

Food security of Gulf countries is fragile.

Instability in the Middle East is the biggest threat to the food security of the Gulf countries. The whole area is vulnerable because imports represent between 80 and 90% of food consumption and that the disruption of imports routes is always possible.

Almost all foodstuffs imported into the region pass through the Suez Canal (Egypt), the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb (between Yemen and Djibouti) or the Strait of Hormuz (between Iran and Saudi). Locations are likely to be the théâthe of disorders, temporary or prolonged closures.

It is estimated that 12 million tons (wheat, grain) imported from North and South America, Europe and the Black Sea, passing through the Suez Canal in Egypt. And 8.4 million tons (wheat, rice) pass through the Strait of Hormuz to Kuwait, United Arabian Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and the ports of eastern Arabia.

source : the national ae, foodex saudi com