Qatar to export dairy and poultry products by end of the year
The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has set its sights on exporting Qatar’s dairy and poultry products by the end of this year.
The country is now self-sustained in the production of eggs and chicken and is gearing up efforts to become entirely self-reliant in the production of dairy products by year end, reported The Peninsula Qatar.
According to the Head of the Animal Health Section at the Ministry, Saleh Jarullah Al Marri, “The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has set the target to be in the position of exporting dairy and poultry products by the end of 2019 as the self-sufficiency in these products is about to be achieved.”
In a Twitter update by The Ministry on Monday, it reiterated its goal to export the said products:
HoD of Animal Health Mr Salih Almarri to @alShrqNews :
— Baladiya (@Baladiya1) January 15, 2019
•10 veterinary centers providing services to breeders
•Plan to export dairy and poultry products by the end of 2019
•1.6 million head of livestock in Qatar
•Initiatives to provide different forms of support to breeders pic.twitter.com/GWHUGnPoQC
Qatar’s ambition to become self-reliant in food production emerged as a consequence of severed diplomatic and trade ties between the country and Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, which it previously rested on for the import of these products.
Under Qatar’s food security program, the Ministry has shored up efforts to amplify local production of livestock with the aim to increase the quantity of meat and milk produced domestically, Al Marri stated.
“The number of livestock in the country including camels, sheep, goats and cows has reached 1.6 million heads,” he added.
The Animal Health Section ensures the livestock are routinely vaccinated and treated and is at present running 10 veterinary centers across the country dedicated to livestock care and treatment.
Earlier, in January 2018, Baladna, Qatar’s largest dairy and meat producer, had revealed its plan to export a range of its products by early 2019, reported Qatar Tribune.
Prior to the Qatar blockade, up to 90 percent of all dairy products were acquired from the siege countries.
With its endeavor to boost local food production and overcome food security concerns, Qatar facilitated home-grown enterprises and heavily invested in building its own dairy industry. By August 2018, the country has already achieved 84 percent self-sufficiency in the production of dairy products, according to The Peninsula.
While Qatar strengthened its trade ties with Turkey and received immediate supply of dairy products, local companies such as Baladna, Al Maha, and Dandy, among others, rose to the challenge to bolster the local dairy industry.
At least 4,000 cows were initially airlifted from the US and Australia as one of the first steps undertaken amid the crisis. This was backed by some 3,000 additional expectant cows brought in later.
Cover image credit: Goobjoog News
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Great job by Qatar.....but please bring down the prices of dairy products further before exporting . Milk at the current is too high.
Yes we did it, Once again a tight slap on those countries who had blocked Qatar.
It is welcome step .......... Good progress ...........................