By Professor Tareq Osaili
In recent years, food security has become a central topic in global discussions, particularly in light of ongoing supply chain pressures and lessons learned since the Covid-19 pandemic. In the United Arab Emirates, this conversation is not new. With years of planning, investment, and clear national strategies, the country has steadily strengthened its food security systems and built confidence in its ability to respond to global disruptions.
The UAE has developed a food system that is both dynamic and resilient. Despite its limited natural agricultural resources, the country has successfully positioned itself as a global hub for food trade and logistics. Modern ports, efficient supply chains, and strong international partnerships ensure that food reaches markets consistently and reliably. This level of preparedness has allowed the UAE to maintain stability even during times of global uncertainty.
At the same time, food security in the UAE extends beyond sourcing raw food. A critical component lies in the ability to process, manufacture, and distribute food at scale. Food manufacturing plays a central role in ensuring consistency, availability, and efficiency across the system. This “invisible infrastructure” supports a wide range of packaged and processed foods that are essential to modern food systems.
Within this system, food ingredients are just as important as final products. Edible oils, for example, are a key input in many food applications, from cooking to large-scale food production. Among these, palm oil is widely used due to its stability at high temperatures, long shelf life, and efficiency in production. These characteristics make it a reliable and scalable ingredient that supports both affordability and consistency in food manufacturing.
For a country that depends on imported ingredients to power its food manufacturing sector, the consistency and scalability of palm oil are not incidental advantages; they are a direct contribution to national food resilience.
While imports remain a cornerstone of the UAE’s food system, there is also a continued focus on strengthening local production through innovation. Technologies such as hydroponics and controlled-environment agriculture contribute to diversifying food sources. However, the strength of the system lies in the integration of multiple elements, local production, global sourcing, and food manufacturing, working together to ensure a stable and adaptable food supply.
Food security is not only about availability. It is also about accessibility and affordability. A strong food system ensures that food is not only present in the market, but also within reach for all segments of society. The UAE has worked to maintain this balance by supporting stable supply chains and encouraging competitive markets. Efficient food ingredients and production systems contribute to keeping food accessible without compromising quality.
Palm oil exemplifies this: as one of the world’s most land-efficient and cost-effective vegetable oils, it helps keep the price of everyday foods stable without requiring proportionally larger volumes of supply.
An equally important dimension is nutrition. Having access to food is one part of the equation but having access to nutritious and balanced food is just as critical. A balanced diet includes a variety of food groups and appropriate sources of fats. Edible oils, including palm oil, can play a role as part of a balanced diet when used appropriately within diverse dietary patterns.
Palm oil provides essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins that form part of a nutritionally complete diet. The key, as with all dietary fats, is appropriate use within a varied and balanced eating pattern — something the UAE’s diverse culinary culture is well placed to support.Another area where meaningful progress can be made is reducing food waste. Across households, restaurants, and the broader food service sector, a significant amount of food can be lost if not managed properly. Using stable ingredients with longer shelf life and consistent performance can support more efficient food preparation and reduce waste across the system.
Ingredients such as palm oil, with their inherent oxidative stability, contribute to extending the usable life of processed foods, which is a practical and often overlooked benefit in a high-consumption urban food system like the UAE’s.
Consumers also play a key role in strengthening food security. Everyday choices, from what we buy to how we prepare and consume food, contribute to the overall system. Being mindful of portion sizes, choosing a balanced mix of foods, and avoiding unnecessary waste are all small actions that add up over time.
What makes the UAE’s approach to food security particularly strong is the combination of clear national leadership and an integrated system that brings together imports, local production, and food manufacturing. This coordinated approach ensures that the food system remains stable, efficient, and adaptable to future challenges.
Looking ahead, the outlook remains positive. The UAE continues to invest in new technologies, strengthen its global partnerships, and enhance its food production and processing capabilities. These efforts are not only about addressing current needs, but also about preparing for the future.
In the end, food security is not only about systems and policies. It is also about how these systems work together in practice. In the UAE, the integration of strong infrastructure, efficient production, and reliable food ingredients creates a model that supports long-term resilience and sustainability.
(The author is Professor and Vice Dean, College of Health Sciences, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Sharjah)
