All the attention of football fans is fixed on Qatar where the FIFA World Cup has just started. Qatar has managed to significantly increase its vegetable production.
According to local media reporting on government officials, the country has managed to significantly increase its vegetable production over the past few years. In 2021, local vegetable production reached around 102,000 tonnes, compared to only 55,000 tonnes in 2017. The self-sufficiency rate in vegetables increased from around 20% in 2017 to 46% in 2022
This considerable increase in production stems from the increased number of local farms which increased from 24 in 2012 to 140 during the previous season. These farms offer several varieties of vegetables in seasonal markets, including eggplant, peppers, mushrooms, as well as certain fruits, such as figs and melons. Then, during the high season in December and January, tomatoes and cabbage will be added.
In addition, as part of its national food security policy, Qatar has diversified its food import sources and has also increased its strategic storage capacity in order to be able to cope with possible disruptions in the supply chain.