Muscat – Oman achieved 65.8% self-sufficiency in food production in 2024, reflecting continued progress towards national food security goals, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The growth stems from increased local output across agriculture, livestock, fisheries and food industries, supported by sustained investment and strategic initiatives to enhance sustainability.

Figures released by NCSI showed that self-sufficiency levels stood at 49.4% for agricultural products, 87.3% for animal products, 144.5% for fish, and 66.4% for food and beverage industries. The data was presented on Sunday at the Food Security Lab 2025, organised by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources under the patronage of H E Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

According to Dr Yousef bin Mohammed al Riyami, Director General of Statistics at NCSI, several key commodities have surpassed the 75% self-sufficiency mark. These include cucumber (100%), dates (99%), cantaloupe (98%), pepper and milk (96%), eggs (95%) and tomatoes (82%). However, he noted that wheat, onions and potatoes remain dependent on imports due to climatic and environmental limitations.

Riyami added that Oman continues to face challenges linked to high temperatures, limited rainfall and constrained dam storage capacity. Population growth and the availability of agricultural labour also affect the pace of expansion. Despite these hurdles, the food and water sectors have recorded steady growth, contributing 3.5% to the national economy in 2024, equivalent to RO1.426bn, up from 3.2% in 2023. Agriculture and livestock accounted for RO604mn, fisheries RO469mn, food and beverage industries RO353mn, and the water sector 1.1% of GDP.

Asma bint Hamoud al Hinai, Director of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Office at the ministry, said the Food Security Investment Programme continues to play a vital role in the sector’s growth. By the end of August 2025, 407 investment projects had been registered under the programme with a total investment value of RO1.717bn. The projects span plant production, livestock, fisheries and water resources, contributing to increased local capacity and employment generation.

The annual Food Security Lab serves as a key platform for encouraging investment and innovation in the food sector, in line with Oman Vision 2040’s goal of building an integrated and sustainable food system. This year’s edition focuses on investment and sustainability – attracting local and foreign capital, strengthening value chains and ensuring the long-term stability of national food production. The ministry continues to enhance digital services, improve institutional coordination and increase efficiency in planning and implementation.