While the Global Food Security Index ranks countries in the GCC as amongst the most food-secure in the world, the disruption to global supply chains as a consequence of COVD-19 has initiated a reassessment of food security policies which have to date focused primarily on imports. We are now witnessing efforts to consider and work towards food independence, led in part by FoodTech like vertical farming and innovative farming techniques in arid, water scarce environments.
The Gulf hospitality industry is a significant consumer of fresh produce, grains and food products from around the world. In an effort to address global supply chain pressures and bring the freshest produce to hotel guests, the hospitality industry is taking steps to support local farming and in turn drive the demand needed to ensure the economic sustainability of a food independence strategy.
In this article we consider the legal issues and opportunity arising for the hospitality industry from the regions food independence initiatives.
