Resource information
Our region is food insecure and a net importer of foods. It produces much less food than it requires due to many factors, such as limited arable land and shortage of water resources, and below world average agricultural productivity in many cases. In addition, the region suffers from excessive food losses and wastes. FAO estimated recently that food losses and waste in the world amounts to about 1.3 billion metric tons, and we estimate that our region’s share of these losses and wastes is very significant. Therefore, in addition to improving food productivity, it is vital to explore every possible means to reduce food losses and wastes throughout the distribution systems. Such efforts will increase food availability, wholesomeness and safety, reduce the food shortage, and achieve food security in our region. Therefore, the establishment of adequate cold chain infrastructure and adequate application and management is essential to assure food security. The costs of establishing an adequate cold chain industry, both economic and environmental, can be more than offset by the economic and environmental benefits of maintaining adequate quantities and quality of food.
