On the first day of the outbreak of war, a mood of anticipation and anxiety spread across several Gulf countries. As often happens during moments of geopolitical uncertainty, some citizens turned to buying and stockpiling basic food items as a precautionary measure, anticipating possible disruptions to supply chains.
During the first hours of escalation, some stores recorded a noticeable increase in demand for essential food items and canned goods. The scene was somewhat unusual for a region unaccustomed to seeing direct military tensions reflected so immediately in the details of everyday life.
However, this surge in consumer demand did not last long. As markets stabilized and the flow of goods continued, fears about food availability gradually subsided. Iman Al-Mohammed from Bahrain said concerns about shortages faded over time, although the tension itself did not completely disappear. Instead, it shifted into security fears tied to the sound of air-raid sirens and the possibility of Iranian missiles falling in the region.
By contrast, Hind Rashid from Kuwait believes the initial reactions among citizens were exaggerated, noting that markets remain stable and goods are still widely available. At the same time, she stressed the importance of rationalizing food consumption given the uncertainty surrounding how long the war might last.
At the level of government policy, Gulf states moved quickly to contain any potential repercussions for food security and market stability. Kuwait announced Wednesday evening a ban on exporting all food commodities through land, sea, and airports in a precautionary step aimed at protecting the domestic market and ensuring stable supplies.
The Kuwaiti Government Communication Center said on its account on the platform “X” that urgent customs directives prohibit exporting any type of food products from the country.
Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Economy confirmed that local markets remain stable and that strategic reserves of essential goods are sufficient to meet residents’ needs. The ministry noted that supply chains are functioning normally and urged consumers to purchase according to actual needs while avoiding excessive stockpiling that could create unnecessary pressure on markets.
In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Commerce intensified market monitoring operations to ensure stability and the availability of goods. The kingdom has also continued strengthening its strategic grain reserves. The General Food Security Authority announced the purchase of about 794,000 tons of wheat in an international tender during March, following a previous purchase of roughly 907,000 tons in a January tender.
These steps form part of a broader strategy to strengthen food security. By the end of last year, the kingdom had achieved self-sufficiency rates exceeding 60 percent in several key food products and meat.
In Qatar, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that the number of retail outlets operating 24 hours a day had been increased to 33 branches, a step aimed at supporting market stability, ensuring the smooth flow of supply chains, and meeting consumer needs without interruption.
Assessing the region’s food situation, Bahraini financial and economic expert Dr. Fawzi Behzad said:
“All Gulf Cooperation Council countries have strategic reserves of food supplies that can last for several months. This is not something created in the moment but the result of many years of preparation. Concerns about food supplies are not limited to wartime but extend to all types of crises and disasters, including natural ones.”
Behzad, the founding chief executive of the Bahrain Stock Exchange, added:
“There is no significant impact from the current war in the region. This can easily be observed by visiting various markets across Gulf countries, whether central food markets or modern supermarkets.”
Gulf Food Security Tested
Despite the Gulf countries’ strong rankings in global food security indicators, their heavy reliance on imports means the issue is constantly tested, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region.
According to a report published by the World Economic Forum, the Gulf region ranks among the most food-secure areas in the world—even though GCC countries import up to 85 percent of their food needs.
The 2022 Global Food Security Index ranks the six Gulf states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—among the top 50 countries worldwide in food security.
Still, this ranking reflects a complex equation. Gulf markets depend heavily on imported food supplies, including staples such as rice and grains, as well as portions of meat and vegetables. This means supply stability is closely tied to international trade flows and vital maritime shipping routes.
In this context, Omani economist Khalfan Al-Touqi notes that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz or maritime shipping lanes would have clear repercussions for the region’s economies, given the strait’s importance as one of the world’s most critical trade arteries.
However, Al-Touqi points out that Oman has greater flexibility in dealing with such crises because it possesses major ports located outside the Strait of Hormuz, including Duqm Port, Salalah Port, Sohar Port, and Sultan Qaboos Port.
These ports are connected to trade networks with Asian and African markets, providing alternative routes for the movement of goods—including food products—and reducing the likelihood of significant supply disruptions.
Al-Touqi believes food security in Oman will remain under control, although temporary bottlenecks in supply chains or price increases may occur due to longer shipping routes compared with direct passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Omani economist also suggests that the Sultanate could play a broader role as a logistics hub for storage and redistribution if the crisis escalates, benefiting from its geographic location and advanced port infrastructure.
Supply Chain Disruptions and Food Availability
A field tour conducted by an Alhurra correspondent at several major food retail centers in Dubai showed markets operating normally, with no signs of shortages or supply disruptions.
Store shelves remained fully stocked with food products just as they were before the war began, while prices held steady amid routine shopping activity.
This stability coincides with Gulf governments’ efforts to contain any potential effects of regional tensions on markets. In the UAE, authorities tightened oversight, emphasizing that the food security system represents a “red line.”
Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq said imports of goods are continuing at the required pace with no signs of disruption. The ministry is monitoring prices and inventory through a digital platform connected to more than 627 major retail outlets, while encouraging consumers to purchase only what they need.
In Qatar, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry acknowledged that a limited wave of consumer stockpiling occurred during the first days of escalation, temporarily placing pressure on some stores before conditions returned to normal once shelves were restocked. Authorities also increased the number of outlets operating around the clock.
At the same time, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia stepped up market oversight. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce announced that it conducted more than 10,000 inspection visits in a single week to ensure the availability of goods and compliance with price display regulations.
Al-Touqi believes Gulf states maintain a margin of stability thanks to their strategic reserves, noting that most GCC countries hold food stocks sufficient for up to six months, while similar crises rarely last longer than three months.
Nonetheless, maritime routes remain a decisive factor in food security, as more than 70 percent of GCC food imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Some countries have alternative ports outside the strait, such as Fujairah Port in the UAE. However, a Reuters report notes that the capacity of Emirati ports outside the strait remains limited compared with major hubs such as Jebel Ali Port or Khalifa Port.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, possesses major ports on the Red Sea, including Jeddah Islamic Port, in addition to the ports of Yanbu, Rabigh, Duba, and Jazan, providing an alternative route for trade.
By contrast, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar appear more exposed to the consequences of any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz because they rely heavily on this passage for importing most of their food needs.
In this context, Al-Touqi notes that Oman could play an important logistical role during crises, as its ports overlooking the Arabian Sea could become centers for storage and redistribution of goods—including food products—helping ease pressure on Gulf states should navigation through the strait be disrupted.
The article is a translation of the original Arabic.
Sakina Abdallah
A Saudi writer, researcher, and TV presenter
