Strategic Crops: Reducing National Supply Risk in Oman

The Dhofar Governorate in Oman has seen an encouraging wheat harvest during this year's khareef season, with officials projecting production of around 8,000 tonnes from 6,408 feddans (approximately 2,690 hectares) across 51 farms in the Najd area.

This figure is significant but not enough to answer a crucial policy question: what makes a crop strategic for Oman?

The government's latest confirmed national result provides useful context. In 2024/25, Oman produced 10,128 tonnes of wheat from 8,327 feddans, with an official market value of about RO 3.04 million.

Dhofar supplied 7,723 tonnes, accounting for 76 per cent of national production. However, the latest confirmed harvest represents roughly 3 per cent of annual consumption - equivalent to about 11 days of demand.