EIU attributes the expected increase to the fact that 90 per cent of the Gulf's current food demands are met with imports, an over-reliance caused by climactic conditions and land use restrictions.
Like other GCC states, Oman has been taking a series of efforts to achieve food security by enhancing cultivation and buffer food grain stocks in the country.
The food reserves are essential for using in the aftermath of natural calamities like a cyclone or in the wake of spiralling food grain prices in the global market.
Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve has plans to build 52 warehouses in different wilayats with a total capital expenditure of OMR42 million to ensure availability of food grains even in remote villages. Work has already been started for few warehouses.
Contrastingly, regional imports far exceed demand and the GCC's position as a major logistics hub for the global food industry is aided by significant re-export trade.
Food-specific logistics remain a core component of a UAE logistics industry anticipated to reach Dh99 billion in 2015, according to Frost & Sullivan.
UAE's re-exports
Meanwhile, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) figures show the UAE currently re-exports nearly 50 per cent of its imported food products to other GCC countries, Russia, India, Pakistan and East Africa.
One of the world's biggest re-exporters of goods such as coffee, tea, sugar and rice, the UAE was responsible for approximately 90 per cent of global rice re-exports in 2010.
With regional food demand set to grow -- the World Bank projects the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region's food market could exceed $1 trillion by 2030.
Shaping an economically sustainable regional food logistics infrastructure will top the agenda at this year's inaugural Gulfood Manufacturing, following decades of multi-billion dollar investments in the GCC's aviation and maritime infrastructure and Free Zone trade hubs.
The Gulfood Manufacturing will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) between November 9 and 11.
The event will prioritise the food logistics debate with a dedicated forum highlighting current trends and solutions for effective implementation across the multi-sector sphere.
Food Logistics Middle East, a specialised show within Gulfood Manufacturing, will bring together global industry experts to tackle challenges such as connectivity, demand and supply, transportation, storage, commercial vehicles, facilitators and service providers.
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