Muscat – Oman is set to achieve 96 per cent self-sufficiency in table eggs production in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a senior official of Oman Flour Mills Company.

In an interview with Oman Radio, Faisal al Ma’ashani, Acting Manager in CEO’s Office, Oman Flour Mills Company, said the Gulf International Poultry Farm in Ibri, Dhahirah, one of the largest egg farms in the GCC, will be completed in the last quarter of next year.

The farm, worth over RO26mn spread over 18mn sqm will have production capacity of up to 360mn eggs annually. “The project will contribute to achieving food security in the sultanate. Upon completion, the project will help achieve 96 per cent self-sufficiency in table eggs requirements.”

The farm is being developed in partnership with Gulf Japan Food Fund, Japanese Ice Foods Company and UAE-based IFFCO.

Ma’ashani informed that on November 7, the company received the first shipment of feed and chicks.

“Oman currently produces 3,650 cartons of table eggs per day, while the local consumption is 6,400 cartons. The sultanate met 65 per cent of the local consumption of table eggs in 2021, compared to 58 per cent in 2020.”

In an interview with Oman TV on Monday, H E Dr Saud Hamoud Ahmed al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said the ministry is working towards achieving self-sufficiency in many basic commodities.

He added that Oman saw a growth in agricultural, livestock and fish production in 2021.

He informed that a recent Food Security Lab recommended more than 100 projects with an investment volume of about RO1.3bn in different sectors and projects.