Food Security in MENA. Challenges, Solutions & Expert Insights: an interview with the University of Gastronomic Sciences (UNISG)
Food security is a critical issue across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where global crises have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. Many countries in the region, particularly Egypt and Morocco, are highly dependent on cereal imports, making them especially susceptible to international market shocks.
The STAPLES Project https:/www.staples-project.eu/, funded by PRIMA was launched to address these challenges and contribute to mitigate the risks associated with disruptions in the cereal value chain across MENA countries.
In tackling this challenge, the University of Gastronomic Sciences (UNISG) as a key role. To explore these issues further, we spoke with Ms. Donatella Saccone, Assistant Professor of Economic Policy at UNISG. In the following interview, she discusses, with her team, UNISG’s contributions to the STAPLES Project and its broader impact on food security advancements in the Mediterranean region.
Donatella Saccone, could you provide more detail on UNISG’s role in the STAPLES project, and who comprises your team?
UNISG leads project activities aimed at developing innovative solutions and evidence-based recommendations for strengthening global food value chains. Specifically, we focus on resilience-enhancing trade policies collaborating in partnership with POLIMI-Politecnico di Milano, EMEA-Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association, ERF- Economic Research Forum and ASCAME Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry and mapping and promoting traditional rainfed cereals.
I am an economist and expert in food security and food trade, and I coordinate the project multidisciplinary te am composed by Prof. Andrea Pieroni, an ethnobotanist, whose role is mapping traditional rainfed cereals; Prof. Gabriele Proglio, a historian studying historical trade dynamics and crisis response strategies; Prof. Lorenzo Bairati, a legal expert, examining trade barriers between Europe and North Africa. Our work is further supported by the economist and Ph.D. in Economics Dina Moawad and by Isaac Pérez Borda, a UNISG graduate specializing in Food Innovation and Management. Here is our team.
What are the main activities towards Developing innovative solutions and evidence-based recommendations in Global Value Chain?
The first set of activities “Resilience-enhancing trade policies”, is directly led by UNISG in partnership with POLIMI, EMEA, ERF and ASCAME. It aims at the identification of resilience-enhancing trade policies reducing MENA dependency from non-Mediterranean countries considering macroeconomic, institutional and historical factors. At the macroeconomic level, an analysis of cereal trade data is carried out also focusing on trade policies of Mediterranean countries and of the corresponding trade partners, and on the identification and analysis of market attractiveness indicators for the Mediterranean countries and the corresponding trade partners. The analysis of institutional factors is instead based on a survey of primary sources and available international and European legal doctrine. For the historical and cultural factors, different sources are analysed as archival sources, with the aim of mapping the sociopolitical factors in Egypt and Morocco since the end of the WWI; oral sources, collecting 180 semi-structured interviews in Egypt, Morocco, and Spain with the purpose of understanding the traditional strategies adopted in periods of food crises and the factors fostering or hindering trade relations with European actors.
UNISIG research is supported by the economists Ms. Dina Moawad and Mr. Isaac Enrique Pérez Borda, what are your key findings from your research so far?
Along with data analysis and literature review, we are conducting 180 interviews in Egypt, Morocco, and Spain, with smallholders and key stakeholders across the three countries. These conversations help us identify how traditional knowledge can enhance food security and highlight obstacles in MENA’s trade with Europe. This understanding is crucial for developing strategies to reduce reliance on non-Mediterranean food imports and to stabilize local food availability.
For instance, a recent meeting with the Seville Chamber of Commerce, was especially insightful. We aligned on project goals and explored how STAPLES can impact Mediterranean cereal supply chains. The Chamber highlighted the necessity of timely and relevant data for both short-term decision-making and long-term policy formulation. Their willingness to actively engage with the project was very encouraging, by making sure to include and listen to all voices who are impacted by shocks in the global cereal supply chain.
Dina Moawad, you recently visited Egypt and met with CEEBA- Confederation of Egyptian Business Associations. How is the collaboration progressing?
Within the meeting we discussed logistical arrangements, identifying necessary government collaboration, and decided to conduct interviews directly in villages for greater efficiency. CEEBA’s support has been invaluable, assisting with organization, translation, and transcription. Given the bureaucratic complexities in MENA, having strong local partnerships is crucial to our success.
UNISG is also leading the promotion of traditional rainfed cereals. Donatella Saccone, what are the main key aspects in this field?
Together with ASCAME Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry.and CEEBA, we are mapping and promoting traditional rainfed cereals. This task involves expanding the Ark of Taste list and analyzing drought-resistant cereals in Morocco and Egypt and the social, economic, cultural and historical factors that are putting such crops at risk. Our primary objectives include: mapping traditional cereals and their value chains in selected areas in Egypt and Morocco, assessing water-efficient cultivation methods through literature reviews and 120 farmer interviews; evaluating economic, cultural, and historical risks to these crops; developing promotion strategies and hosting workshops to boost their role in local gastronomy.
Dina Moawad, UNISG has been collaborating on the other tasks “Understanding external stressors and shocks”. What have been the results?
The findings from our first work, indicate that EU food exports to MENA are rising due to global trade disruptions in global value chains. This will directly inform our macroeconomic analysis, focusing on trade policies and market attractiveness indicators. By understanding these trends, we can foster stable, resilient trade relationships between Mediterranean countries and improve food security in the region.
The STAPLES project is making significant steps in strengthening food trade resilience in MENA. UNISG’s leadership in mapping traditional cereals and analysing trade policies is essential in developing long-term solutions for food security and sustainable agriculture. With continued research, stakeholder collaboration, and policy recommendations, STAPLES is paving the way for a more resilient food system in the Mediterranean.
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