Across the Middle East today, the region faces one of the most turbulent and uncertain periods in its recent history. Conflicts have escalated, tensions have spread across borders, and the consequences are being felt far beyond the political sphere. While the causes and motivations behind these crises may remain hidden or difficult to fully understand, their impact on our economies, industries, and daily lives is painfully clear.

The damage we see today is only the beginning. Some consequences are immediate and visible: disruptions to maritime navigation, instability in trade routes, and interruptions in the economic flows that sustain entire nations. Other damages will only become apparent with time—long-term economic strain, weakened industries, and growing challenges for regional food security.

For decades, the Gulf has been a central economic engine for the Arab world. Many countries in the region, from North Africa to the Levant, have built strong economic ties with the Gulf through investment, industry, and trade. As instability spreads, the ripple effects threaten not just one country, but an entire interconnected economic ecosystem.

Energy has long been considered the region’s most valuable resource. Yet in times of geopolitical turmoil, even oil—the backbone of many economies—can lose its ability to stabilize markets and livelihoods. When trade slows, logistics stall, and uncertainty dominates global markets, the losses are shared across borders.

Amid these geopolitical tensions, it is often unclear who truly benefits and who truly loses. But one fact is undeniable: the people of the region bear the heaviest burden.

For those of us working in agriculture—and particularly in the poultry sector—the consequences are deeply concerning. Poultry is not simply another industry. It is one of the most accessible and affordable sources of protein for millions of families across the Middle East and North Africa. For many low-income households, poultry remains the cornerstone of daily nutrition.

Yet the poultry sector is also highly dependent on global supply chains. Feed ingredients, equipment, breeding stock, vaccines, and many essential inputs are largely imported. Any disruption in trade routes, shipping, or regional stability immediately places enormous pressure on producers and threatens the delicate balance that keeps food available and affordable.

This reality raises urgent questions.
What can governments do to safeguard food production in such uncertain times?
How can industries continue to operate when supply chains are under pressure?
And how can producers continue their mission when the environment around them becomes increasingly unstable?

In the past, industries often looked to governments for solutions. Today, governments themselves face unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. This makes the role of resilient industries even more critical.

Despite these difficulties, the poultry sector continues to carry an essential responsibility: feeding people—especially the most vulnerable.

Our work is not political. It is humanitarian in its essence. Every farm, hatchery, feed mill, and processing facility contributes to a single objective: ensuring that families across the region can access safe and affordable food.

In times of peace, this mission is vital. In times of crisis, it becomes indispensable.

Those working in poultry production today are, in many ways, silent victims of broader geopolitical struggles. Yet they remain committed to their role in sustaining communities.

What the industry asks for is not privilege, nor advantage. It asks for stability. For safe trade routes. For the ability to work, produce, and care for the livestock that ultimately feeds millions.

Above all, the region needs something simple yet increasingly rare: peace.

Because in the end, the goal of every producer, farmer, and food supplier in this region is the same—to secure the most basic human need: a stable and dignified livelihood, and a reliable meal on the table for every family.