In a significant move to bolster food security, the UAE has set an ambitious goal to create 20,000 jobs in the food sector by 2030, aiming to reduce food imports from the current 90% to 50% by 2050.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy, announced these initiatives during a recent event organized by the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group.
Al Marri emphasized that the UAE’s commitment to food security has been a national priority since the 2007 global food crisis, underlining the nation’s progress in enhancing domestic food production.
“We are proud of our progress in domestic food production, with the aim of reducing food imports from 90% to 50% by mid-century,” he stated.
The UAE’s investments in food security are intended to ensure a sustainable food supply for its residents. In 2023, the country recorded a total food import volume of $23 billion, while food exports reached $6.6 billion.
The food sector experienced impressive growth during the first half of the year, with a 20% increase in total trade, food imports rising by 23%, and exports seeing a 19% boost.
Highlighting the potential for growth within the region, Al Marri pointed out that the GCC food and beverage sector is projected to reach $128 billion by 2029. He encouraged industry players to leverage this momentum to further drive the UAE’s cluster strategy.
“In line with the UAE Food & Agricultural Transformation Strategy, we are well on track to increase the food sector’s contribution to the GDP by $10 billion and create more than 20,000 jobs.
This growth should not remain a statistic—it represents livelihoods, opportunities, and a sustainable future for our country,” he said.
The two-day event brought together key stakeholders, including vital ministries, to discuss the pillars of the UAE’s food security strategy.
This includes fostering innovation through world-class research and development and nurturing future food disruptors who could become global champions.
Al Marri emphasized the importance of embedding sustainable practices across the food production value chain to protect the environment for future generations.
Abdullah Ahmad Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, elaborated on the Food Cluster strategy, which aims to foster dialogue among various stakeholders, including universities, scientists, and research institutions.
“The idea behind creating the clusters is to enable dialogues between all the stakeholders to ensure food security in the future,” Al Saleh explained.
He noted that as an import-heavy country, the UAE recognizes the need to enhance food security and supply chains, increase exports, and develop practical policies.
The government’s approach seeks to address the pressing challenges posed by reliance on food imports while fostering a robust domestic food production sector.
The collaborative efforts and innovative strategies discussed at the event are expected to pave the way for a more secure and sustainable food future for the UAE.
As the nation continues to prioritize food security, the initiatives outlined by the Minister of Economy signal a proactive approach to ensuring that the UAE remains a leader in food sustainability on a global scale.