<\/p>\n
Local food and beverage (F&B) producers in the UAE say\u00a0the sector is being severely constrained by rising input costs and unprecedented challenges caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.<\/p>\n
The impact of the war, which began in February this year, has reverberated across the globe, creating uncertainty and insecurity in global food supply chains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The food industry is among the vital focus industrial sectors of the UAE\u2019s Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology\u2019s (MoIAT) Operation 300bn plan, not only to enhance its contribution to GDP but also to support long-term food security and self-sufficiency by facilitating local production.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/image.digitalinsightresearch.in\/Uploads\/ImageLibrary\/Active\/MEED\/2022\/11\/context-image.png\")
Food security strategy<\/h6>\n
For industry stakeholders gathered at the MEED-Mashreq\u00a0Manufacturing Business Leaders Forum, the Covid-19 crisis and conflict in Ukraine have only further underlined the importance of pursuing a food security strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UAE F&B industry has more than 550 manufacturing units and employs more than 80,000 workers with a value of production of over AED35bn and exports of more than AED15bn,\u201d said Ahmed Bayoumi, CEO of Global Food Industries (GFI) and board member of the UAE Food & Beverage Manufacturers Group.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Industry are jointly spearheading efforts to increase the domestic supply of food products and to make the UAE one of the most food-secure countries in the world,\u201d explained Bayoumi.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two strategies, food security and Operation 300bn, both have many programmes to support the industry. We also really appreciate the new free trade agreements and the building of new trade routes with India, Indonesia and Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Import\u00a0dependence<\/h6>\n
The UAE and other Gulf nations \u2013\u00a0considered food-secure\u00a0due to their economic and political stability \u2013 have not faced food shortages since the pandemic outbreak. But food security and limiting vulnerability to import disruptions remains a key strategic long-term goal for the UAE government, as it lacks control over its sources.<\/p>\n
GCC countries, including the UAE,\u00a0typically import nearly 85 per cent of their food.<\/p>\n
Compounding the situation is the harsh climate, with the expansion of local food production limited due to the scarcity of natural resources such as water and arable land.<\/p>\n
According to the World Resources Institute, the Middle East and North Africa is the most water-stressed region globally, with the World Bank forecasting that the region will experience the highest economic losses from climate-related water scarcity compared with other global regions, at about\u00a0six to 14 per cent of their GDP by 2050.<\/p>\n
Conflict stress<\/h6>\n
Closed-off access to the lower-priced Black Sea grain since the outbreak of the war has induced commodity shortages and exacerbated inflationary pressures for purchasers already struggling with still fragile pandemic-disrupted supply chains, high import costs and spikes in energy costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of the Ukraine war, sunflower oil and flour prices are up by almost 60 per cent,\u201d a local food\u00a0manufacturer said during the forum.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditionally, the Indian government has banned wheat exports from India. This has created an increase in commodity prices in the local market. It directly impacts me because almost all my products use wheat. Wheat flour is 60 per cent of my raw material.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The challenge, he said, is further compounded because commodity suppliers have been demanding advance payments as they capitalise on the shortages.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But in the credit-driven UAE market, manufacturers are still bound by 90 to 120-day payment cycles.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the same time, I am restricted from increasing my prices,\u201d the manufacturer said. \u201cIt is not healthy for the industry. There must be some intervention from the ministry to address this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAlmost 99 per cent of food products in the UAE are no longer regulated in terms of pricing.\u00a0This is due to the dialogue between the Ministry of Economy and the industry \u2013 credit where credit is due
\nAhmed Bayoumi, Global Food Industries<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nCountering inflation<\/h6>\n
Inflation has risen to historic levels in many markets worldwide, significantly impacting consumers and businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the UAE, the IMF\u00a0forecasted that\u00a0inflation will be at 5.2 per cent\u00a0this year.<\/p>\n
One local manufacturer at the forum said businesses have \u201cno other way\u201d to protect their finances and margins than to raise the prices of their goods.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government does not like to disturb consumers with price increases, but this is a very big challenge for manufacturers,\u201d he said. \u201cIf manufacturers don\u2019t increase prices, they will lose money.\u201d<\/p>\n
A\u00a02022 Grant Thornton survey\u00a0of 5,000 mid-market businesses across 28 countries, including the UAE, revealed that 87 per cent of businesses in the UAE have opted to pass the cost of surging inflation to consumers in a bid to protect their margins by increasing their prices, \u201cat the same level or above our cost increases\u201d.<\/p>\n
According to the study, businesses have seen increases of 18 per cent in their energy and utility bills, 17 per cent in raw materials costs and 14 per cent in salaries or staff compensation. Businesses also saw a 16 per cent increase in outgoings related to equipment, as well as bank, interest and taxes.<\/p>\n
The UAE government typically caps prices of staple food items to keep inflation in check and ensure shopping remains affordable for families.\u00a0In April 2022, however, the Ministry of Economy said it was monitoring 300 frequently bought essential food items to identify products whose prices could be raised in line with rising import costs, subject to approvals.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlmost 99 per cent of food products in the UAE are no longer regulated in terms of pricing,\u201d said GFI\u2019s Bayoumi. \u201cThis is due to the dialogue between the Ministry of Economy and the industry \u2013 credit where credit is due.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are only some basic staples that are regulated, and this was a major breakthrough after almost 20 years of everything being regulated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Achieving self-sufficiency<\/h6>\n
The long-term vision of the UAE\u2019s food security strategy is to achieve self-sufficiency, creating an optimum balance between domestic production and securing food production channels overseas.<\/p>\n
Ongoing challenges, however, are impacting the speed with which this vision can be achieved.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cProducers who perhaps enjoy more subsidies or, due to currency fluctuations, can access the UAE market at low cost. This tends to come at the cost of demand for local manufacturers,\u201d said Bayoumi.<\/p>\n
The strong dollar, meanwhile, has been a \u201cdouble-edged sword\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the one side, it helps you with your imports from everywhere in the world. So, imports are cheaper in terms of raw materials or equipment. But, on the other hand, in terms of exports, nations using the Euro, for example, are screaming that they can\u2019t buy our product anymore because they have appreciated by 20 per cent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the UAE has to think to have some kind of ownership of lands abroad,\u201d a manufacturer at the forum said. \u201cThis might open a big door for the UAE. That will secure our raw materials in terms of availability and prices.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UAE is already taking steps in this area, with efforts spearheaded by its investment vehicles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 2020, Abu Dhabi\u2019s International Holdings Company (IHC) said it would invest over $225m to develop and cultivate over 100,000 acres of farmland in Sudan to help secure high-quality agricultural output.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi holding company ADQ bought\u00a0a majority stake in Cyprus-headquartered agriculture company Unifrutti. The firm produces, trades and distributes more than 100 varieties of fresh produce, and sells 560,000 tonnes of fresh fruit a year. It has 14,000 hectares of farms across four continents and customers in 50 countries.<\/p>\n
ADQ previously acquired a 45 per cent stake in French firm Louis Dreyfus, and has stakes in local companies, including fresh produce and agri-tech group Silal; forage and agribusiness group Al-Dhahra Holding; and food and beverage group Agthia.<\/p>\n
Equal opportunities<\/h6>\n
Bayoumi noted that overall, demand within the UAE is recovering \u201cvery strongly\u201d after the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially with visitor numbers growing, we see market demand growing, and we anticipate that this growth will continue going forward,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut also, competition is intensifying. More players are seeing the Gulf as one of the most attractive markets globally over the next three to five years, more players are coming into the market, and more players are vying for a piece of the cake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Medium-sized enterprises are at a further disadvantage when compared to regional giants.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things being discussed and under study is how medium-sized enterprises can be provided with access to centres of excellence that would pool resources in areas such as research and technology, which an individual entity might not be able\u00a0to afford otherwise. That would make them more competitive over the long term versus the big players,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concentration of retail power also needs to be addressed. In the past, there were thousands of places to sell your product and hardly pay anything. Now two or three major retailers have 50 to 60 per cent of the market. They impose demands and if you do not comply, you could end up delisted or chucked off shelves.\u201d<\/p>\n