The Middle East has become a major destination for food imports due to limited agricultural capacity, water scarcity, and growing populations. Countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt heavily rely on imports to satisfy domestic demand, particularly for dairy, meat, fruits, vegetables, and other agri-food products. The region’s dependence on foreign suppliers is evident in the importation of both raw and processed food products, driven by changing consumer preferences and rapid urbanization.
