Page 38 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Qatar

Qatar Agriculture Market Analysis

The Qatar Agriculture Market size duce. One of the country’s standout
is estimated at USD 180.30 million in innovations is aquaponics, a method
2025, and is expected to reach USD that merges aquaculture and hydro-
235.31 million by 2030, at a CAGR ponics. In 2021, Qatar launched its
of 5.47% during the forecast period national agriculture project, which
(2025-2030). was developed through an aquapon-
The Qatari agricultural industry ic system that utilizes aquaculture
has seen significant growth in recent and hydroponics.
years, driven by rising food demand Furthermore, the Department at rity Strategy 2024-30 by leveraging
due to rapid population expansion the Ministry of Municipality is work- the achievements accomplished by
and government-led efforts to bol- ing to encourage farms by launch- the 2018-23 National Food Security
ster food security. These initiatives ing various agricultural initiatives Strategy. This new strategy will en-
have ushered in notable advance- and providing technical support and able a more sustainable food secu-
ments, including the enactment of services to farmers. The government rity system for the country in terms
the Public Private Partnership (PPP) has completed 58% of the drive to of increasing self-sufficiency in veg-
law, the streamlining of distribution distribute and install greenhouses. etables like tomatoes, cucumbers,
channels, and financial incentives In 2022, the country produced the peppers, cauliflower, potatoes,
to boost domestic production. No- highest vegetable production of to- eggplant, onions, and cabbage. For
tably, despite Qatar’s arid climate, matoes, with 44,923.6 metric tons, instance, in 2022, the country’s veg-
the nation has embraced sustainable with coverage of an area of 666 hect- etable production reached 97,519
practices, leveraging technologies ares in greenhouses, followed by metric tons, representing a signifi-
like automated irrigation, aquapon- cucumber and sweet pepper. Such cant 71% share of the nation’s total
ics, and hydroponics to elevate the developments will drive the country agricultural output, underscoring its
yield and quality of its agricultural to adopt smart farming practices to market dominance.
produce. become self-sufficient in agricultural Local farms in Qatar are enhancing
production over the coming years.
Despite substantial capital invest- their vegetable production through
ments in bolstering domestic ag- Qatar University’s Agricultural Re- advanced methods that are tailored
ricultural production, Qatar heav- search Station (ARS) has developed for both outdoor and indoor cultiva-
ily depends on imports to satisfy its a cutting-edge vertical farming sys- tion. These efforts encompass the
escalating consumption demands. tem to address the country’s agri-
Imported products include cereals, cultural challenges. This innovative adoption of cutting-edge equip-
fruits, and vegetables. Major export- method involves growing plants in- ment and techniques specifically
ers like Brazil, the United States, In- doors in stacked layers, optimizing designed for the nation’s hot and
dia, and Australia cater to this need. space and resource use. The sys- arid climate. From greenhouses to
According to the ITC Trade Map, Qa- tem utilizes precise climate control, water-conserving irrigation meth-
LED lights, and automation for year-
tar imported vegetables worth USD round, high-quality production. The ods and innovative cooling technol-
0.26 million in 2022, which was 13% ARS is further adapting this technol- ogies, these advancements ensure
higher compared to the previous ogy to Qatar’s specific conditions, a year-round supply of vegetables,
year. Similarly, the country imported promising new research opportu- bolstering Qatar’s domestic produc-
cereals worth USD 0.26 million in nities and a sustainable local food tion. Consequently, these initiatives
2022, which was 35% more in com- source. For instance, in 2021, iFarm are fueling the growth of the local
parison to the previous year. vegetable market, with many agri-
joined forces with Sadarah to en-
Qatar Agriculture Market Trends hance sustainable vertical farming in cultural farms in the country scaling
Rising Adoption of Sustainable Qatar. They jointly manage a large- up their production. For instance,
and Smart Technologies Boosting scale indoor farm, utilizing iFarm’s Executive Director of Business Re-
Agriculture in Qatar advanced technology that recycles lations at Hassad Food Mubarak
Qatar, known for its low rainfall and unused water. Al Sahouti said that the quantity of
high temperatures, has tackled these The Vegetable Segment vegetables received from domes-
hurdles head-on. In recent years, Dominates the Market tic farms increased by 20% in 2023
the nation has embraced innova- According to the Minister of Mu- in comparison to the previous year.
tive agricultural methods, including nicipality and Environment, Qatar is The domestic market requirement is
hydroponics, smart irrigation, and planning to achieve self-sufficiency 2,000 metric tons of cucumbers and
aquaponics. These approaches not in vegetable production over the 6,000 metric tons of tomatoes, which
only enhance the use of arable land coming years. The country started are procured from Qatari farms dur-
but also elevate the quality of its pro- its new Qatar National Food Secu- ing the agriculture season.
36 Arab Agriculture 2025