When three GCC countries, which take up almost all of Qatar’s territorial and air borders, announced a complete blockade of movement of goods, many had expected Qatar to tremble and give up soon.

But a few days after the start of the tensions, there are no signs anywhere in Qatar that they are suffering from a shortage of food. While many factors contributed to this situation, the role played by Qatari food companies is among the most important.

A recent report in the Gulf Times showed how masked workers at a meat processing plant in Doha’s sprawling industrial zone, toiled through the night heaving boxes of raw chicken across a pristine factory floor.

They have been working extra shifts since June 5, when the blockade hit.

The blockade prompted Qatar to look at other foreign exporters, including Turkey and Iran, as well as its own local food companies.

“We’ve put two shifts instead of one and stopped exporting to concentrate production for the local market...There’re plans to treble production,” said Ahmed Al Khalaf, Chairman of International Projects Development Co, the parent company of Qatar Meat, in his office adjoining the plant.

Qatar Meat has been working to double its output of chicken, beef and lamb to 40 tonnes per day.

Khalaf says this is proof Qatar can survive without having to rely on neighbours who have shunned it.

Other Qatari companies are also stepping in, reported The Peninsula.

In his dairy factory, Mohammed Al Kuwari, 30, is working weekends during the holy month of Ramadan to oversee production.

“The situation is great! As you can see, there’s lots of production and we’ve a big share in the market,” he said as employees packaged yoghurts with the Rawa brand of his Gulf Food Production company.

The factory is producing 20,000lts of dairy products per day, up from 15,000lts, he said.

Gulf Food Production also relies heavily on import, including milk from France.

“It normally comes in by ship but soon maybe it’ll all come in by air for the same price,” thanks to government support, he said.

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Picture courtesy: The Peninsula