Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
Long before food security became a global priority, the UAE was already building the foundations of a resilient food system. Since the 1970s, the country has invested in national food companies, distribution networks, and strategic reserves — an approach that continues today as the UAE cements its role as a regional hub for food supply and innovation.
With many of its food items sourced abroad due to climate and geography, the UAE has long recognised that resilience extends beyond farming. Ensuring a steady supply of food has required an integrated system that combines logistics, technology, policy and international partnerships.
The National Food Security Strategy 2051, launched in 2018, aims to build a comprehensive system based on sustainable production, diversified import sources, modern technology, reduced waste, and stronger legislation, with the long-term goal of placing the UAE at the top of the Global Food Security Index by 2051.
The country currently ranks 23rd globally and first in the MENA region, while also ranking seventh in food availability and 16th in food safety and quality.
That strategy sits on foundations built decades earlier in Abu Dhabi. The capital developed industrial and distribution capacity early, then kept expanding it.
Foundations of Food Security
The UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, established the foundations of a national food and agriculture system designed to support the country’s growing population and strengthen its ability to produce and distribute essential food products locally.
That vision later evolved into what is now known as Agthia Group, one of the UAE’s leading food and beverage companies. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Agthia was formally established in 2004 and is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).
Today, it operates across several countries in the Middle East and beyond, supplying a wide range of food and beverage products to millions of consumers in over 60 countries.
Abu Dhabi National Foodstuff Company, Emirates Food Industries, and Gulf and Safa Dairies similarly grew from early industrial and distribution initiatives to regional platforms ensuring reliable access to essential food products.
Gulf and Safa Dairies, for example, expanded production from 25,000 litres per day in 1980 to 300,000 litres per day by the early 2010s, with five distribution centres and a fleet of 75 refrigerated trucks delivering locally and to countries including Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.
The Pandemic Turning Point
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of food security. ADQ launched Silal to diversify food sources and boost domestic production, supporting farmers with modern technologies and sustainable practices.
The same year, Dubai introduced a Food Security Dashboard that uses AI to track food utilisation, availability, accessibility and stability.
A key Silal project is the grain silo complex at Zayed Port, featuring 10 silos with a combined capacity of 200,000 tonnes. Advanced systems regulate temperature and humidity to preserve grains for up to 12 months, ensuring stable food supplies and efficient distribution.
During the pandemic, the UAE also expanded humanitarian food efforts. The UAE Food Bank distributed more than 9,000 tonnes of food in 2020, while the 100 Million Meals campaign provided 216 million meals in 30 countries, highlighting the country’s commitment to fighting global hunger.
Building the Future
By 2022, UAE food trade reached Dh130 billion, up from Dh105 billion in 2021, reflecting a system supported not only by local stockpiles but also by extensive global economic networks, enabling alternative supply sources in case of disruptions.
The Food Innovation Hub UAE, supported by the World Economic Forum and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, advances technology and partnerships to strengthen food production in arid climates and enhance supply chain resilience.
The UAE’s food security efforts are coordinated through the Emirates Food Security Council, chaired by the Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
Bringing together federal and local authorities, the private sector and civil society, the council oversees the implementation of the National Food Security Strategy and ensures stable supplies, even during crises like the pandemic.
