Poultry production and its effects on food security in the Middle Eastern and North African region

Summary

The Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region is the largest importer of food in the World, and the development and growth of any of its agricultural sectors contributes to improved food security. The production of poultry meat and eggs in the MENA region has been increasing steadily and moving to become a highly sophisticated industry since the 1960s. In this study, data were collected on production of eggs, chicken meat, and turkey meat from 1961 to 2016 for 20 MENA countries (9 countries in the Near East, 5 in North Africa, and 6 Gulf countries). Production of eggs, chicken meat, and turkey meat increased significantly from 1961 to 2016, with increases in chicken meat more so than for eggs and turkey meat. Significant correlations were observed between production and population growth in all MENA regions except in the Gulf where production increased at a faster rate than population growth. Results also revealed that the mean % animal protein of total protein increased by 10% from 1961 to 2016 in North Africa, while the increase was only 5% in the Near East and 6% in the Gulf. Increases in egg protein consumption as % of total protein were only significant in North Africa during the 1980s, while increases in poultry meat protein consumption were significant in North Africa in the 1980s and 1990s and in the Gulf from 1970 to 2010. Analysis showed largest significant increases in contribution of poultry products in the Gulf compared with the other 2 regions.