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Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for Qatar’s Food Industry: Self-Sufficiency, Sustainability, and Global Food Trade Diversification

Author

Listed:
  • Noora Al-Abdelmalek

    (Engineering Management, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Murat Kucukvar

    (Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Nuri C. Onat

    (Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Enas Fares

    (Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Hiba Ayad

    (Engineering Management, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Muhammet Enis Bulak

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Uskudar University, Istanbul 34662, Turkey)

  • Banu Y. Ekren

    (School of Management, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
    Department of Industrial Engineering, Yasar University, Izmir 35100, Turkey)

  • Yiğit Kazancoglu

    (Department of Logistics Management, Yasar University, Izmir 35100, Turkey)

  • Kadir Ertogral

    (Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

Abstract

Food trade restrictions pose a serious risk for countries that are heavily reliant on food imports, potentially leading to food crises, inequality, and geopolitical conflicts on a global scale. However, such restrictions may also have transformative effects in promoting food supply chain resilience, security, and self-sufficiency. In this study, a novel econometric analysis is presented, utilizing a data-driven analytical model to investigate the impact of a food embargo on the industry, using Qatar as a case study. A structured and automated food trade database is created using Microsoft Management Server Studio and data visualization software is integrated for automated data discovery. By using a global, trade-based sustainability assessment model, which combines the multi-region input-output (MRIO) analysis with transportation mode-based (sea, road, and air) emissions, the carbon footprint of the dairy food production sector could be estimated. The study shows that the trade embargo on Qatar’s food industry can lead to significant reductions in the annual import of food products, promoting self-sufficiency, and reducing the net carbon emissions of the dairy food sector by nearly 40%. This reduction is not only achieved through food supply chain changes, such as transportation modes, but also by restrictions pushing the country to increase domestic production. Overall, the study demonstrates that a trade embargo, with the support of a well-designed national food security strategy, trade/import diversification, and the use of different modes of transportation for food products, can improve the resilience of global supply chains, self-sufficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Noora Al-Abdelmalek & Murat Kucukvar & Nuri C. Onat & Enas Fares & Hiba Ayad & Muhammet Enis Bulak & Banu Y. Ekren & Yiğit Kazancoglu & Kadir Ertogral, 2023. "Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for Qatar’s Food Industry: Self-Sufficiency, Sustainability, and Global Food Trade Diversification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:7:p:5755-:d:1107321
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    References listed on IDEAS

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