Oman poultry self-sufficiency takes step forward

Last week, Oman Food Investment Holding Co (OFIC) announced the appointment of engineering consultants for A’Namaa Poultry Company's 'mega poultry project' as the country works towards its goal of being self-sufficient in poultry from the current 36 percent to 70 percent in 2030. 

The project is the development of a plot of 60 square kilometres at Safah in Ibri in the northwest of the country. It will cover the poultry value chain from hatchery to distribution, with the aim of producing 60,000 tonnes of white meat per annum and creating around 735 jobs with an Omanisation ratio of 35 percent, according to OFIC. 

A’Namaa Poultry Company started operations in 2015. In June this year it obtained project financing for the mega poultry project of 50 million Omani riyals from Meethaq Islamic Bank.

OFIC is a state-owned enterprise mandated to promote Oman's food security through partnerships with other government agencies, private operators, and investors. It has invested 100 million Omani riyals ($260 million) in A'Namaa and holds 20 percent in the company. 

Oman's biggest poultry producer is A'Saffa Foods that produces around 21 million chickens a year, according to its website. Its revenues fell 4.02 percent from 31.95 million Omani riyals to 30.67 million Omani riyals in 2016, according to Thomson Reuters data. A'Saffa Foods is listed on Muscat Securities Market. 

Oman's chicken consumption was 150,000 tonnes in 2016. Imports currently account for 60 percent of annual consumption while domestic production makes up the remaining 60,000 tonnes, according to government data. 

EXPORTS

Oman's chicken exports have been on the rise as a result of the nation's focus on boosting its poultry industry. 

The biggest buyer of Omani chickens is next-door neighbour the United Arab Emirates, which imported 75.6 percent of all of Oman's chicken exports in 2016. UAE shares a land border with Oman. 

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