SALALAH: Regional tensions and disruptions to shipping routes have exposed the fragility of Gulf food supply chains, but Oman has so far maintained stable food availability through strategic reserves, port infrastructure and diversified logistics networks, a food security expert said.
Speaking during a dialogue session at Dhofar University, Eng Saleh bin Mohammed al Shanfari, Chairman of the Food Security Committee at Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said recent geopolitical tensions showed that the region still faces vulnerabilities despite years of investment in food security systems.
He said Oman had been able to maintain the flow of food supplies and avoid shortages due to its strategic ports, reserve systems and government policies aimed at securing essential commodities.“Today there is no food crisis in Oman,” Al Shanfari said, noting that vegetables, fruits and other basic products remained available in local markets despite regional shipping disruptions and rising logistics costs.He highlighted the role of the Port of Salalah, alongside Sohar Port and the Port of Duqm, in supporting food supply chains across the Gulf. He described Salalah as a major logistics gateway for food imports and redistribution.
Al Shanfari said disruptions affecting shipping routes and fertiliser exports from the Gulf could have wider global consequences, particularly for agricultural production.He warned that any disruption to urea exports — a key component in fertiliser production — could contribute to higher global prices for wheat, soybeans, barley and animal feed, increasing pressure on international food markets. Al Shanfari said Oman’s strategic grain reserves remained at safe levels, adding that the country had avoided major food supply crises over the past two decades due to precautionary government policies and reserve management systems. He also pointed to growing investment in local food production, fisheries and aquaculture as part of broader efforts to strengthen long-term food resilience and reduce dependence on imports.
The government, he said, has expanded efforts to facilitate agricultural and food-security investments by accelerating approvals for land allocation, water access, utilities and infrastructure services. Al Shanfari added that Oman was attracting local and international investment into agriculture, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, describing fish farming and seafood processing as among the country’s most promising growth areas.
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