FOOD SECURITY IN THE MENA-MEDITERRANEAN REGIONAysen Tanyeri-Abur

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Sub-regional Office for North Africa

OBJECTIVES

Present an overview of main challenges to food security in the MENA Med countries

Highlight current concerns and constraints to address food availability and increasing dependence on imports (particularly cereals

List some possible measures to improve food security

FOOD SECURITY

THREE MAIN DIMENSIONS

AVAILABILITY (supply) ACCESS (consumption) SUITABILITY (nutrition)

MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD SECURITY IN THE MENA-MED COUNTRIES IN COMPARISON TO THE REST OF THE MED

Limited availability of land and water resources (availability)

High rates of population growth (availability, access) Rapid urbanization due to limited jobs in rural areas

(availability, access,nutrition) Limitation of the domestic food systems to respond to

demand (availability, nutrition, access) Post Arab Spring challenges (access)

HIGH POPULATION GROWTH AND INVREASING URBANIZATION IN MENA

MENA NORTH MED

1960 2012 1960 2012

TOTALMillions

64,920 202,084 168,881 280,396

Urban Population

36% 56% 55% 74%

WATER RESOURCES IN THE MENA - ONLY 11% OF TOTAL RENEWABLE WATER RESOURCES OF THE MED TOTAL

Renewable water resources(m3/pers)

1963-1967

1983-1987 1998-2002

% change

from 63-67

Total MED 3856 2841 2735 -37.6

North MED 4715 3849 4026 -22.5

South MED 1738 1032 761 -63.1

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN MENA Mostly rainfed agriculture causing wide fluctuations in

production MENA produces only 20% of total cereals in the MED Land area is 70% of total land area of the Mediterranean

but in terms of arable land only 30% of arable land Limited past investment in agriculture Low productivity and low capital intensity Low yields

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

North Med 33657

MENA Med; 8208

Total 19836

$U

S c

onst

ant

2005

Capital Intensity (Capital Stock/worker) in the MED

HIGH AND GROWING IMPORT DEPENDENCY – AVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT FOOD- DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MENA AND NORTH MED COUNTRIES

Cereal Production and Demand MENA (Med) countries

19611964

19671970

19731976

19791982

19851988

19911994

19972000

20032006

20090

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Cereal Production Demand for feedDemand for food Total demand (cereal)

Million MT

Cereal Production and Demand Northern Med

19611964

19671970

19731976

19791982

19851988

19911994

19972000

20032006

20090

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Cereal production Demand for feed Demand for food Total demand (cereal)

Million MT

Cereal Production and Demand Total Med countries

19611965

19691973

19771981

19851989

19931997

20012005

20090

50

100

150

200

250

Cereal production Demand for feed Demand for food Total demand (cereal)

CHALLENGES RELATED TO

Cereal Import dependency ratios are 60-70 % and increasing

Incerasing fiscal deficits Economic crisis in Europe High and volatile prices

ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY

Efforts needed at national, regional and international levels

National level: Improvements in productivity (inputs, technology,

extension) Promoting efficient supply chains (reduce waste,

better logistics) Targeted safety nets for the vulnerable populations Better management of risks associated with high

import dependency (Food reserves, Future contracts)

ADRESSING FOOD SECURITY

Regional Level Cooperation in policies affecting pricing of common

resources Cooperation in harmonizing trade policies Strengthening infrastructure in the region Improve market information systems and

coordination of action to respond to world market volatility

International Level – counter market volatility new financing mechanisms

THANK YOU