Oman aims to become a logistics hub for the production and distribution of agricultural and fishery products in the Gulf, East Africa, and Indo-Pacific regions, leveraging its geographical position and strong relations with India, with which the Sultanate is negotiating a free trade agreement. To this end, the country has intensified investments and partnerships with private entities to improve productivity and encourage the adoption of new technologies.
Regarding fishing, thanks to a favourable climate and over 3,000 kilometres of coastline, Oman already accounts for over 31% of the region’s production. However, the government is further increasing its support for the sector by implementing the policy document “Fisheries and Aquaculture Vision 2040.” Omani aquaculture products have recently met the European Union’s phytosanitary standards, opening significant import opportunities in European countries. Oman is also active in the processing of fishery products, such as lanternfish, which are processed and frozen for subsequent export. Meanwhile, the domestic demand for products like fishmeal and fish oil is expanding, which are imported for use in animal feed production.
In agriculture, innovative and sustainable methods and crops are being studied to reduce the food trade balance deficit. However, in the near future, Oman will remain a net importer of food, given its growing population. As part of these efforts, several projects have been implemented to increase precipitation, such as the creation of 13 rain seeding stations that have contributed to a 15-18% increase in rainfall. Additionally, several recently established research and development centres are progressively mechanising and modernising cultivation techniques. These initiatives include the development of hydroponic agriculture, with technological support from the Netherlands and China. The country is particularly interested in investments in new technologies for the cultivation of onions, garlic, and potatoes, and there are plans to further develop grape cultivation. The focus is particularly on the development of the Salalah area, where there is an abundance of land with adequate water and infrastructure.
Italy could also play a role in the growth of these sectors. According to reports, the heads of the consortia awarded a green hydrogen project, which uses excess water and energy, are encouraging collaborations with Italian companies to initiate agricultural activities using these resources. Meanwhile, Italy is exploring other partnerships: the Mediterranean Institute for Asia and Africa (ISMAA) intends to start creating an agro-food district in southern Oman with Confagricoltura, an area where major crops are concentrated. Muscat is also looking to Rome with interest regarding the sale of machinery for cultivation and processing. Similar cooperation initiatives have also been undertaken in the fishery sector, where the Italian contribution would mainly be in terms of know-how.
The commercial opportunities in Oman in these sectors will be discussed from 2-6 December 2024, during the sixth edition of Oman Agrifood 2024, an annual exhibition that brings together major policymakers and technology developers in the agricultural, fishery, and food industries.
