F FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES MIDDLE EAST · FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLE MIDDLE EAST 1. Market Dynamics 1.1. United Arab Emirates With the chilli season in full swing, availability is

F FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES MIDDLE EAST

DECEMBER 2015

FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES MIDDLE EAST

DECEMBER 2015

FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLE MIDDLE EAST

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Contents

1. Market Dynamics ...................................................................................................................................1

United Arab Emirates ...................................................................................................................1 1.1.

Oman ...........................................................................................................................................1 1.2.

Qatar ............................................................................................................................................1 1.3.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .............................................................................................................1 1.4.

Bahrain .........................................................................................................................................2 1.5.

2. Media .....................................................................................................................................................2

United Arab Emirates ...................................................................................................................2 2.1.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .......................................................................................................... 13 2.2.

Qatar ......................................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.

Oman ........................................................................................................................................ 16 2.4.

Bahrain ...................................................................................................................................... 18 2.5.

3. Price Information ................................................................................................................................. 19

United Arab Emirates ................................................................................................................ 19 3.1.

Oman ........................................................................................................................................ 21 3.2.

Qatar ......................................................................................................................................... 23 3.4.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .......................................................................................................... 24 3.5.

Bahrain ...................................................................................................................................... 26 3.6.

4. News References ................................................................................................................................ 29


1. Market Dynamics

United Arab Emirates 1.1.

With the chilli season in full swing, availability is good with supplies from India, Oman, Jordan, Morocco and UAE, though the biggest volume is from Oman. As usual, dried chillies are supplied from India and are not universally available but are present in some wholesale outlets.

There is also a good supply of mangos, with a variety of sources including Kenya, Thailand, Egypt, Indonesia and Australia, though the bulk are coming from Egypt and Kenya.

Avocados are available from Morocco, Kenya and Mexico, with the Kenyan variety being notably cheaper than those from the other two countries.

Also in season are strawberries, pomegranate, tomatoes, eggplant, beetroot, lemon, sweet potatoes, onion, taro, capsicum, cauliflower, carrot, lettuce, cucumber, potato, broccoli, turnip, snap pea, bitter melon, okra, papaya, beans, white radish, baby marrow, drumstick, leeks and awla. Most produce is coming from Oman.

Good supplies and reasonable prices mean sellers and consumers are currently satisfied with the market situation.

Oman 1.2.

Fresh vegetables are now in good supply in the Oman market as most are now in season and many, including chillies, are coming direct from local farmers. Chillies are also available from India and Jordan, but no dried chillies are available.

However, mangoes remain in short supply, with a few fresh mangoes from Pakistan and no dried mango for sale. Avocado supply is also very limited with only a few available from Kenya, some of which are coming via Dubai.

Overall, customers are happy with the selection of fresh vegetables. Cauliflower and cabbage are particularly plentiful and other best selling items are pomegranates, chillies, tomatoes, apples, eggplant, onion, cauliflower, carrot, cabbage, potato, snap pea and baby marrow etc.

Qatar 1.3.

Most of the vegetables in Qatar’s market are coming from Oman. Only Omani and Indian chillies are available and mangoes are from Australia and Egypt.

Egyptian mango is plentiful. Avocadoes are only from Kenya and continue to enjoy good demand.

Overall, there is a good supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. Best sellers including apple, strawberries, bananas, tomatoes, eggplant, lemons, onion,s carrots, cucumbers, beans and potatoes.

Sales people say that the fresh vegetables season has just started and prices will gradually reduce as the season progresses. Supply, sales and overall business is good.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 1.4.

Vegetables are primarily from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia though prices have increased slightly in recent months. Chillies are only available from KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA while only Philippine avocado is currently evident.

Mangoes are only available from Kenya with an unusual absence of supply from Egypt (although it is the end of the season) and nothing from Pakistan and India.

There are few Turkish products in the market now and nothing from Jordan, but the presence of Egyptian products has increased with strong supplies of citrus, tomato, guava, lettuce, sweet pepper and more, at competitive prices, notably less than in previous reports.


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Bahrain 1.5.

The Bahrain market has remained stable this month. A few Mango varieties are back, but not all those normally in store as it is still early in the season. Avocado prices have remained the same and chilies show minimal change in prices.

2. Media

(*Where articles reference the Middle East in general or more than one Middle Eastern country reported on, results are posted under United Arab Emirates)


WOP Dubai, the Middle East’s leading exhibition for fresh fruit and vegetables which took place earlier this month, saw impressive growth this year, recording an increase in visitor numbers, a 20 % rise in exhibitor numbers and a 25 % expansion in exhibitor space.

The exhibition hosted 14 official country pavilions, from Australia, Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Kenya, Mauritius, Moldova, Morocco, Portugal, Poland, Spain and Rwanda, with many more anticipated for next year’s show. [1]

São Paulo – Seven major Arab retail chains will partake in a matchmaking event with Brazilian companies on December 1st and 2nd in São Paulo. The importers are seeking new foodstuff and beverage suppliers. The meetings are an initiative of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).

The Arabs are interested in items such as beef, poultry, produce, vegetables, fruit, greens, juices, coffee, sugar, rice, beans, dairy, pasta, oils, candy, chocolate, biscuits, honey, and cereal. “They want to find new suppliers,” Alaby asserts

To the Arab Chamber’s CEO, the strength of the United States dollar relative to Brazil’s real currency could spur deals between Brazilian companies and the Arab importers even further. [2]

The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water announced today (Sunday, October 25, 2015) the launch of the 13th edition of the Middle East Exhibition for Organic and Natural Products (MENOPE), taking place from November 2 to 4, 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Supported by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the three-day exhibition has a confirmed participation of over 125 companies. In addition, many regional and international government organizations, including Dubai Municipality; Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Philippines; Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Malaysia; and Ministry of Ayush, India will also be present.

"The Ministry has taken proactive steps in promoting organic and natural products in the local market through the development of a package of technology services and legal infrastructure. This package aims to facilitate agri-business and drive the UAE to become one of the leading and highly advanced countries in organic and natural products," she added.

MENOPE officials said that the organic food and beverage sector has been consistently on the rise every consecutive year in the last 12 years. Quoting a Euromonitor study, Eng. Al Fuqaha said that in 2002, the MENA food and beverage market was worth US$ 11 million and is poised to grow to US$ 120 million by 2017.

Likewise, there has been rampant increase in demand for farm-fresh local produce across the GCC. "According to a Frost and Sullivan study, the region's organic farming is set to touch US$ 1.5 billion by 2018, reflecting the changing habits of consumers on the lookout for healthy, chemical and toxin-free food produce," Eng. Al Fuqaha said.

Debuting this year at MENOPE is the First Emirates International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Products which will shed more light into the Middle East's organic movement across market access, technology, and support systems from governments.


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"This is the first time such a comprehensive seminar on organic agriculture and sustainability is taking place at MENOPE. Going forward, we would like to hold this as an annual event.”[3]

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) over the weekend announced that a trial shipment of carabao mangoes was flown to Dubai, United Arab Emirates on November 29 under the supervision of the DA 12’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, regional executive director of SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos), said the shipment is the fruit of the region’s participation in Dubai’s Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo (MENOPE) in the first week of November.

MENOPE showcased a wide range of organically grown products including food, beverages and beauty products among others.

The DA said that it has beefed up measures and support to enable local mango producers to grow high quality fruits that would conform to international standards.

“There is a great demand for mangoes from the international market and DA has been consistently receiving invitations from other countries on how to bring Philippine mangoes to their shores,” DA Assistant Secretary Orlan Calayag said.

They are now talking with Vietnam, Indonesia and other Middle Eastern countries to open their markets to Philippine mangoes.

Philippine mango is the third most important fruit crop in the country based on export volume and value and is one of the country’s 20 major high-value crops.

In 2014, Manila exported more than 11.2 metric tons of fresh mangoes worth more than US$16.2 million compared to 7.9 MT of mangoes valued at US$13.29 million in 2013.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the government is giving attention to the food safety component in mango production and utilization to make it at par with international safety standards.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries recommends the mandatory certification of mango farms in compliance with the standards.

Alcala said that the DA continues to invest in research and development, farmers’ training, and technical and infrastructure support, as well as strengthening the supply chain by participating in local and international trade shows to establish linkages and empower farmers and stakeholders to enter local and foreign markets. [4]

Commercial Director for cherry & stonefruit at the United Kingdom importers Total Worldfresh Jon Clark commentst that thetransition between the end of the Northern Hemisphere season and the start of the Southern Hemisphere season has not been “normal”.

The late season Angeleno plum crop across the whole of Europe was significantly reduced this year. Traditionally this fruit is sold in the United Kingdom until late December and often with several retailers into January," explains Clark. "However, as a result of a lighter crop, availability has been more limited, although supply will continue. The change into Southern Hemisphere plums is happening earlier than normal with a number of people changing from early to mid December."

The United Kingdom is becoming a less desirable market for growers. Asia and the Middle East are giving better grower returns so a higher percentage of crops are going to those markets to allow growers to achieve a return on investment. [5]

Economic diversification through investments in food production projects will help Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries save an estimated US$20bn in food imports from the United States of America, an expert has said.

International oil economist and World Bank consultant on oil and energy issues, Dr Mamdouh G Salameh, explained that GCC countries should look to Sudan and in “thriving and futuristic industries worldwide” for food production projects.

In the research paper Factors behind the steep decline in oil prices, which he delivered in a forum recently, Salameh said: “The proposed mode of economic diversification for the Gulf states is not industrialisation.”


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Salameh argued that Gulf countries “would never be able to compete with the top industrial nations in the world though some form of industrialisation in petrochemicals has been taking place, particularly in Saudi Arabia”.

He added: “Nor does it mean investing in real estate, but rather in food production projects, for instance in Sudan and also in thriving and futuristic industries worldwide.”

Salameh warned that amid predictions of a global food shortage, “food prices could rival, if not exceed, those of crude oil” in the future. [6]

Key food items, healthcare and education services will be excluded from a proposed Gulf wide value added tax (VAT) scheme, according to Younis Haji Al Khoori, undersecretary of the UAE’s Ministry of Finance.

The new region wide VAT system, which may come into effect as soon as late 2018, would be one of the first direct taxes in the region, as governments look to shore up revenue streams in the wake of falling oil prices. [7]

On the occasion of the start of the Moroccan fruit and vegetable export season, the General Company for Maritime Transport in France, the third largest shipping company in the world and first at French level, intends to launch new services in order to meet the world's growing demand.

The company, known simply as "CMA CGM", will thus help boost the consumption of Moroccan agricultural products in various world regions, such as the Russian Federation and North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The list of products that the initiative will focus on includes fruits like oranges and lemons and vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers; advanced maritime services will be introduced connecting Morocco with the world's main areas of consumption, especially the Russian Federation, North America and the Middle East. [8]

UAE imports food products worth Dh595 million (US$161.9 million) from Western Australia annually, according to experts.

A delegation led by Ken Baston, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries, Western Australia, visited the UAE to further expand the trade between the two countries.

Some of the major food categories imported by UAE include canola (Dh278 million), sheep (Dh63 million), lamb (Dh60 million) and carrots (D47 million).

The delegation is also visiting Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt during this Middle Eastern tour. [9]

Environment Policy and Planning at Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has rejected upping desalination as a means to counter growing water scarcity in the emirate, opting instead for conservation and reuse.

EAD is against greater desalination plants on the grounds that their energy use is high and their outfall threatens marine life by increasing the already very high salinity levels in the Arabian Sea.

According to EAD, the better management of water usage, zero waste, new technologies for irrigation and agriculture that minimise water consumption and making use of recycled water are more sustainable options.

According to recent studies only 3%of the emirates' ground water is still of good quality, with the rest being brackish. [10]

Africa offers investment opportunities in various sectors and the UAE is keen to further strengthen its trade relations with the continent of 1.1 billion people, said Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy.

He was delivering the opening speech at the third Africa Global Business Forum (AGBF) in Dubai on Tuesday.

"In the UAE, we realise that the future of business is located most significantly in the continent of Africa. Investment opportunities abound in various sectors, especially in agriculture, infrastructure, mining, trade, logistics, tourism and financial services," the minister said.

He emphasised that Africa is key to the UAE's food security. "It is critical for us in terms of food security. We have looked around the world and feel the solution is in Africa because of its location and natural resources," Al Mansouri added. [11]

Farming will be more environmentally friendly, efficient and profitable because of the country’s first agricultural policy, which was recently submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Water.


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Formulated by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), along with agricultural organisations in the UAE, the 126-page-document includes policies on improving the country’s agro-food system.

“It will be the essential document for everything that the UAE will implement in the field of agriculture towards the UAE vision 2021 and 2030,” said Mehdi Drissi, FAO representative in the UAE and FAO subregional coordinator for the GCC and Yemen.

“The policy has implications on subsidies given to farms and farmers and will have to look at the national policy and do what is explicitly there.”

While the UAE is not considered an agricultural country, with about 90 % of its food imported, it has tried to grow as many crops as possible, especially during the cooler winter months, in greenhouses. [12]

ABU DHABI // Farmers, fishermen and herders whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the conflict in Yemen will receive a helping hand in their rehabilitation next year.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), with the help of the UAE, will assist them with the next harvest by providing them with seeds, vaccines, fertiliser and livestock.

“We have colleagues in Sanaa and we are now formulating projects for emergency relief,” said Mehdi Drissi, the FAO representative in the UAE and FAO subregional coordinator for the GCC and Yemen. “This means livelihood rehabilitation for farmers, fishermen and herders in conflict-affected zones.”

The UAE has been part of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen since March, tasked with safeguarding the Gulf’s security and stability, which the Houthi uprising has threatened.

Local food producers found themselves caught in the midst of the battle, ruining their ability to provide for their families and in bringing their produce to market. [13]

The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water , MoEW , has begun a new phase of the ?Nakheelna? initiative where it aims to propagate disease-free date palm trees to boost their productivity as well as improve the quality of services provided to palm cultivators in the country.

The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water launched the Nakheelna initiative in 2012. The ongoing second phase focuses on controlling Red Palm Weevil and all other pests that affect date palm tree agriculture on a national scale. [14]

Supermarket chain Spinneys is going local in its pursuit of more sustainably produced products. And the firm says that by the end of this year, all of the agricultural food it sells in the UAE will be environmentally friendly and free of preservatives.

Speaking at the launch of a partnership with Global Gap, a non-profit organisation for good agriculture practises, Jannie Holtzhausen, CEO of Spinneys Dubai, said: “With the change in season, we are now producing 7.5 % of our vegetables from the UAE and hope to increase that number in the future,”

Currently, 50 % of agricultural food sold at Spinneys globally comes from safe and sustainable sources, and the supermarket aims to almost double that figure.

“We aim that 90 % of the fruits and vegetables in our stores will be from certified sustainable sources by 2017, and 100 % in the UAE by the end of this year.”

A recently built Dhs100 million greenhouse in Al Ain will produce agricultural goods based completely on GlobalGAP standards for Spinneys.

Currently, Spinneys sources only GlobalGAP-certified fruits and vegetables from the UAE, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, Chile and Europe.

In 2016, they will expand their list to include producers from other countries, including Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia and the United State. [15]

Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and Dr. Sufyaan Abdul Rahman Sultan, Palestinian Minister of Agriculture have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, in the field of agriculture,


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livestock and fish. The signing of the MoU is aimed at strengthening relations between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Palestine.

The Minister said that the UAE is seeking to support partnerships with various countries in various environmental fields, especially as the UAE has become one of the leading countries in the environmental field. He noted that the signing of the memorandum aims to strengthen and develop cooperation between the UAE and Palestine in the field of agriculture, livestock and fish, in order to achieve sustainable development goals.

Under the terms of the MoU, the two sides will exchange experiences in the areas of agricultural scientific research, the fight against desertification and using salt water in agriculture, as well as the exchange of expertise and experience in soil and water and agricultural guidance areas. [16]

The United Arab Emirates has entered into a new agreement to collaborate on sustainable agricultural and animal-raising initiatives with the Palestinian Authority.

The deal came in the form of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UAE Minister of Environment and Water Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad and Palestinian Authority Minister of Agriculture Sufian Sultan Al-Tamimi. The accord centers around collaborative efforts for crop, animal and fish farming.

Bin Fahad said the UAE made the collaborative deal as part of a vision of building up stronger economic and policy partnerships throughout the Middle East. He said the UAE is particularly interested in seeking joint solutions to environmental issues.

The MoU sets forth a road map intended to strengthen cooperation between the UAE and Palestine to develop sustainable agriculture techniques and programs.Palestine and the UAE will share knowledge on scientific research into pesticides and seeds, countering the effects of desertification and using salinated water for fields. The two nations will also exchange technical knowledge on soil and water issues, cultivating date palms, fishing and fish farming.

There will also be a knowledge exchange centered around raising livestock. The programs will include veterinary services and quarantines, controlling cross-border pests and diseases and diagnosing animal health issues. [17]

The recently concluded sixth annual Sial Middle East exhibition, a major event for the region’s food, drink and hospitality sectors in Abu Dhabi, UAE recorded trade agreements worth in excess of Dh3.7 billion (US$1 billion).

Deals included UAE deals with Morocco for US$41 million for the plantation of olives, red fruits, citrus and livestock farming in Morocco. [18]

DAVAO CITY -- Major banana exporters have given assurances that individual companies are ready to ensure the biosecurity of their products, but still called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to include the Mokillo disease as a priority area of research.

In a statement, the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Inc. (PBGEA), said the effort to combat disease should be industry-wide with support from the government, which is particularly crucial for the small-scale growers.

Stephen A. Antig, PBGEA executive director, said while the Mokillo or finger tip rot, caused by an aerobic bacteria which is not risky to humans, is not yet a serious threat to the banana export industry, all stakeholders should be proactive in anticipating problems.

“There has to be a collaboration among the pillars of effective participatory governance,” Mr. Antig said.

He noted that PBGEA, which groups the country’s biggest multinational and local exporting firms, has been coming up with measures to ensure that its member companies adopt the Good Agricultural Practice set by the World Trade Organization.

The biggest export market for Philippine fresh bananas is Japan but other important markets include United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and other countries. [19]

Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and Dr. Sufyaan Abdul Rahman Sultan, Palestinian Minister of Agriculture have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, in the field of agriculture, livestock and fish. The signing of the MoU is aimed at strengthening relations between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Palestine.


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The Minister said that the UAE is seeking to support partnerships with various countries in various environmental fields, especially as the UAE has become one of the leading countries in the environmental field. He noted that the signing of the memorandum aims to strengthen and develop cooperation between the UAE and Palestine in the field of agriculture, livestock and fish, in order to achieve sustainable development goals.

Under the terms of the MoU, the two sides will exchange experiences in the areas of agricultural scientific research, the fight against desertification and using salt water in agriculture, as well as the exchange of expertise and experience in soil and water and agricultural guidance areas. [20]

the Russian Federation prevented 1,250 trucks carrying Turkish exports from crossing its border as the Kremlin continued to demand an apology from Turkey for the downing of a Russian Su-24 fighter jet last week.

With approximately US$31 billion in bilateral trade between Moscow and Ankara, the Russian Federation’s increased sanctions show it largely controls the economic relationship between the two states. As Turkey tries to apply countermeasures and find new markets for its produce, it will likely look to increase its exports to the European Union and the Middle East and may need to lower prices to negotiate deals at short notice. [21]

The Turkish citrus sector has called on the government to take action to limit the loss the sector is now seeing. The sector is in a difficult situation now that the Russian Federation has closed its borders. Traders are looking for alternative solutions both within Turkey and abroad.

The citrus export is mainly made up of lemons (42%), tangerines (27%), oranges (18%) and grapefruit (13%). Most of the citrus is exported to the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Romania and Saudia Arabia.

When the Russian Federation announced the boycott, Cukurova, the region where 70% of the Turkish citrus is grown, had already harvested 30% of the crops. In response to the boycott the growers will most likely leave a part of the crops hanging.

"Now that the Russian market is closed we are focusing on the Middle East," says the vice president of the Turkish Wholesale Hall Federation. "There is no reason to worry, we are are in a position to take control of this situation." Because of the boycott more product stays with the wholesalers in Turkey. There are no alternative markets for these products. According to the vice president, the results for the growers are not yet horrible. [22]

The entry of Peruvian mangoes to South Korea could act as a "spearhead" for penetration into other Asian markets, and thus, to increase the volume of shipments to this world region, said the president of the Peru-Korea Business Council, Juan Varilias.

He said that between January and September this year, the Asian market only accounted for 0.6 percent of Peru's global mango exports.

In the aforementioned period, shipments of fresh mangoes to the world were worth US$151 million. Of this, 952,000 corresponded to fruit shipped to destinations like Japan, China and Hong Kong, as well as the United Arab Emirates, located in the Middle East. [23]

The Middle East is an important market for Transcomex GG is a fruit importing and exporting company mainly focused on export these days, because of the weak exchange rate of the Real in Brazil.

SpokesmanCristiano Glória says they arrange for the trade of Brazilian limes and mangoes from the Jaíba region.

The mango variety they work with is the Palmer mango which is only grown in Brazil. Different regions in Brazil produce the Palmer mango, they fill each other’s gaps to achieve year round availability. Palmer mangoes are exported by air, since sea freight is risky due to long transition periods of about 15 days. An advantage of airfreight is that we are able to export 'ready to eat' mangoes, which isn’t possible by sea freight. We have a strong domestic presence with the Palmer mangoes, but the export markets such as Europe (United Kingdom), Middle East and Canada are more important.” [24]

Global Food Supplier (GFS) is an Indian company devoted to the sustainable production and export of agricultural products, including Cavendish bananas, which are grown in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The company is producing 1 million kgs per month and shipped mainly to the Middle East like Iran, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.


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According to Mohamed Shah, spokesperson for the company, "Prices in general have been tumbling globally due to the huge produce, although the situation in the Gulf region is also very slow because now it is the winter season and sales won’t pick up for another 2-3 months.”

It is worth nothing that while the firm ships about 300 containers per annum to Iran, and about 100 containers per year to Dubai, a market where it faces plenty of competition, India as a whole doesn’t have a long tradition as a banana exporter. [25]

Citrus production has been hit in China. In the last two years, hurricanes in the South of the country and the effect of citrus greening disease have hit the sector hard.

In addition, economic recession has brought prices down. Wholesale prices are currently 20% lower than last year.

China annually exports 500,000 metric tons of citrus. Main export destinations are East Asia, the Russian Federation and the Middle East. [26]

A Spanish company plans to target Middle East markets with its “living lettuce” product, according to Carlos Menchaca, of Endinava, a Navarra-based producer.

"At Endinava, we are specialised in growing living lettuce, namely of the Batavia, Red Oak Leaf and multicolour trio varieties. It is a new concept which, thanks to the hydroponic system, allows us to obtain three different varieties of lettuce in one, such as Lollo Bionda, Lollo Rosso and Red Oak Leaf, which we supply mainly to supermarket chains," he explains.

"Moreover, we are launching a new variety in the market called Trocadero Duo; a lettuce with growing demand from the catering sector and from greengrocers. It is delivered in a cork box with water, with four red and four green pieces of lettuce. Customers appreciate having access to a fresh product with a shelf life of three to four weeks and without any loss in organoleptic qualities or nutrients. With it, it is no longer necessary to go to the market every day to buy fresh produce and waste is also minimised, thus solving one of the most severe problems in this sector."

"We do not compete in terms of price with conventional lettuce, which is subject to weekly oscillations depending on the levels of supply and demand. We set an annual price, carry out consumption estimates and we plant four or five months in advance before the harvest," he added.

The consumers targeted by this type of lettuce are especially people who appreciate quality and freshness in a product, as well as environmental sustainability.

"We are now focusing our efforts in the Middle East, where we can fill the market gap left by the local productions in summer due to the high temperatures, as in Syria and Egypt. When lacking local production, these countries usually import from the Netherlands by air," he explains.

Our goal is to export by sea, because of the product's long shelf life, and to expand our international sales. We strive to supply a quality and competitively priced lettuce; however, these markets are used to consuming other types of lettuce, so we believe that their introduction will require hard work from us." [27]

At this moment the Chilean and Argentinian cherries are in season. These cherries have a very short harvesting season. This year they have been available since the end of November and this will continue till the second week of January. The cherries are popular because besides their sweet and juicy taste, it's the first fruit of the season. There is a large volume available, approximately 200,000 boxes. Most of it will be exported to the main markets Middle East and Asia. [28]

The President of the Yucatan’s Chili Product System, Mario Alfredo Rios Urcelay, urged producers to change the traditional production culture of the habanero chili and to achieve appropriate financing for the sector in order to meet the international demand for this vegetable.

He stated that currently the foreign markets, including Asia and the Middle East among others, demanded 12,000 tons of habanero chilies that complied with safety and traceability demands, which would require 1,200 hectares, with a minimum harvest of 10 tons per hectare.

In this regard, he recalled that safety guaranteed consumption of food products posed no danger to those ingesting them, while traceability was a record of where the foods originated from, including from which seeds.


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He added that, thanks to the prospect of exporting, about 1,800 farmers in the entire peninsula had been trained to generate habanero chili complying with the requirement of the external markets. [29]

Egyptian HAMA Holding for Financial Investments Exports Manager Ahmed Saied, is planning to gradually increase its volume of easy-peel mandarins. “This year we already have a huge quantity, somewhere around 10 thousand tonnes of good variety mandarins, which are also owned by our farms, so we have a good opportunity to increase our capacity to export mandarins to different areas in the world. Within 2-3 years, we expect to export around 60 thousand tonnes of mandarins.

The company has increased its volume of Baladi and Valencia, but reduced that of the Navel due to the short exporting window, as the Navel acquires a good colour in the last week of December and the Valencia starts the first week of February, leaving just five weeks. Navel supply is greater than demand. Growers are planting more Valencia to extend the season.

As far as export markets are concerned, HAMA’s focus last year was on Lithuania, the Russian Federation, Dubai and China. “We have the biggest controlled atmosphere cold storage in the Middle East, where we can store about 5,000 pallets for 3-4 months with the fruit in optimum condition,” explains Mr Saied. [30]

The South African stonefruit season is just getting underway in the Western Cape. FVC International started the nectarine harvest last week, with peaches expected this week and plums next week.

Craig Riordan from the company said the stonefruit season is looking very similar to last year, "Sizes may be a bit smaller than last year possibly due the dry conditions but the volumes should be good."

The timing is a little earlier than last year but Riordan is looking forward to a good season.

The company's main markets are Europe, Middle East and the Russian Federation. "Volumes to the Middle East have increased dramatically over the last few years and it is a very good market for us. This is definitely a premium market," explains Riordan. [31]

Executive Director of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) Stephen Antig warns banana growers that the El Niño phenomenon will definitely have an effect on local banana production volumes until June.

Looking at the results of this latest season, with statistics already available for the months of August and September, Antig says that exports are down by between 9 and 11% for all destinations. Their competitors are also shipping to their traditional markets (Japan, the Middle East and China), so there is oversupply and prices will likely hit rock bottom by the end of the year.

All in all, he believes the world banana market as a whole is in a depressed state, and not only in the Philippines.

"I expect a reduction in our revenue of between 20 to 40 percent and growers will also likely switch to other crops." [32]

According to the FFRM (Federation of Farmers), Macedonia is expecting the biggest apple crop in the country's history in the new season 2015/2016.

The apple crop is expected to be around 170 thousand tonnes.

Macedonia is a net exporter of apples with about 80% of it's produce going for export. Main export markets are neighboring countries, the Russian Federation and the Middle East. [33]

The pomegranate season is hotting up and INI Farms, who specialise in ready-to-eat arils, as well as bulk pomegranates and bananas are currently packing for both the European and Middle Eastern markets, expect the first pomegranates will arrive in Europe in time for New Year.

"Middle East is a fairly established market for us," explains Kalpesh Khivasara. "Demand from this market has increased significantly in recent years, we will be sending 50% more to this market this season."

The demand for pomegranate arils is growing both in Europe and the Middle East according to Kalpesh.

Demand for Indian pomegranates is big just now as they are the only country producing from December onwards. [34]


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Through an agreement with Locus Traxx Worldwide Europe, Golden Age Intertrade will promote the SmartTraxxTM GO product line which delivers information in real time, regardless of whether the goods are being transported by land, sea or air.

“The main problem most Indian exporters face is that the cool chain is not adequately maintained while the containers are in transit to the Nhava Sheva port, causing temperature fluctuations of up to eight degrees in several instances“, explained Pandhare. “That is obviously not good for the product, but with SmartTraxxTM technology, exporters can monitor products in real-time to ensure the right temperature is being maintained inside the containers. Existing technology on the Indian market does not offer that same level of visibility.”

Golden Age Intertrade will be offering SmartTraxxTM technology predominantly to grape and mango exporters from the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Suppliers of pomegranates, bananas and vegetables will also be among the beneficiaries.

Export markets for their products include the European Union (EU), the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, UAE and Saudi Arabia for grapes, and the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Kuwait for mangos. [35]

Egypt: Mr Khalil Mubarak, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture in Ismailia, reported that a total of 31,728 tonnes of fresh fruit, frozen vegetables, field crops and medicinal and aromatic plants were exported to Arab and European markets during October. The value of these shipments amounted to 2.23 million dollars.

Exports included products like peanuts, white beans, frozen vegetables, frozen strawberries, frozen okra, green beans, sliced mango, frozen guava or grape and orange juice.

The destinations for these products included Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kuwait, and Sudan. [36]

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, is set to expand its Italian cargo network when it launches daily non-stop flights to Bologna from early next month.

The daily service from November 3, will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, offering 23 tonnes of belly-hold capacity on the first long-haul wide-bodied flight to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, said a statement from Emirates SkyCargo.

With a total cargo capacity of 46 tonnes per day, the Emirates Sky Cargo flights will connect customers in Bologna with cities across the world. The top export destinations include the UAE.

As part of its range of services, Emirates SkyCargo allows customers to ship fruits, vegetables and pharmaceuticals using its cool chain services, which are designed to preserve and expedite the transport of temperature and time sensitive goods, it added.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, Cargo, said: “Bologna is an economic hub in Italy and for the entire European continent. But because of a lack of wide-bodied aircraft service to the region, many businesses must truck their goods over long distances to reach the closest major airport.

“With the introduction of Emirates SkyCargo service to Bologna using the Boeing 777-300ER, businesses in the region will have more efficient channels to reach their customers in cities around the world,” he said. [37]

The growing popularity of Zespri’s SunGold kiwifruit offering across the Middle East is prompting the company’s customers to establish new buying patterns to avoid undersupply.

Ben Hughes, Zespri’s regional manager for the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Americas, said the move is helping Middle Eastern suppliers respond to spikes in demand.

“We have a four to five week shipping time to most Middle East markets which means we can’t instantly increase the amount of fruit available to our distributors,” Hughes told Asiafruit. “To manage this challenge our customers are now holding more stock.”

Another obstacle both Zespri and its supply partners are trying to navigate is the rapidly developing and increasingly competitive modern retail environment in countries such as the UAE and Qatar.

To help establish a unique position in the market, Zespri continues to develop a variety of different promotions to appeal to Middle East consumers.


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The campaign will be weighted towards SunGold in the early part of the season as Zespri aims to introduce more consumers to the variety. The focus will then shift to Zespri Green in the later part of the season. [38]

While Italian apple producer VOG has its first commercial Envy crop this year and is celebrating 20 years of the group’s Marlene variety, CEO Gerhard Dichgans still has a strong belief in the classic Gala apple.

Speaking during trade fair Fruit Attraction in Madrid last month, he said the variety was one of the consortium’s main cultivars along with Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Cripps Pink and Granny Smith.

“We are convinced as marketers that Gala still has huge potential – it is selling 360° in all markets and has worldwide distribution and demand.”

While premium club varieties are all the rage in the fruit industry and VOG is certainly banking on that trend, Dichgans said markets like North Africa and the Middle East were still significant consumers of standard cultivars; a dynamic that is particularly relevant for offsetting effects from the Russian ban on EU-grown fruit. [39]

The Brazilian fruit industry plans to roll out its new brand ‘Frutas do Brasil: Gifted by the Sun’ around the world, with a heavy focus on Europe, the United States. and the Middle East.The project undertaken by the Brazilian Fruit Growers-Exporters Association (ABRAFRUTAS) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) aims to help fruit exports double by 2020.The association’s business development and project manager Helio Lobo said during an industry event Fruit Attraction in Madrid that Brazil currently only exports 3% of its fruit production.

Lobo said the campaign would mostly focus on the core products that make up more than two-thirds of Brazil’s fruit exports – apples, avocados, bananas, grapes, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, oranges, papayas, tangerines and watermelons. [40]

EU figures show that the export of agricultural produce has increased, but a side note is that this positive development doesn't apply to fruit and vegetables. Since the Russian Federation closed its borders, twelve percent less has been exported.

In the first twelve months after the Russian Federation closed its borders, European export has gone up by 5.7 percent compared to the year before, as shown by figures published by the EU.

There was mainly growth in the export to the United States (16%), China (33%), Switzerland (5%) and in a number of Asian markets, including Hong Kong (19%) and Korea (+29%). Export to Middle Eastern markets also went up, like Saudi Arabia (10%), United Arab Emirates (14%) and Egypt (26%). The positive figures don't apply to trade in fruit and vegetables, by the way. Between August 2014 and July 2015, the export was twelve percent below the levels of a year earlier. [41]

The 4th OIC Halal Middle East exhibition, which will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from Dec. 8 to 10, is launching a new vertical targeting the halal tourism segment.

To be held as part of Halal Middle East, the Halal Tourism Middle East the exhibition will be organized by Expo Centre Sharjah in association with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. On display will be an extensive range of Shariah-compliant food and beverages, ingredients, herbs & spices, processed food, fruits & vegetables and other halal products and services.

The show will host more than 125 exhibitors from Algeria, Austria, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United States. [42]

Rungis, the wholesale market that supplies the Paris region in fresh products has signed a contract for it’s first expansion outside of France. Rungis will lend it’s expertise and brand to it’s future equivalent in Moscow.

This is the first contract abroad of it’s kind for Rungis, which is the word’s largest wholesaler. They hope to sign a similar type of agreement soon with Dubai. The “technical assistance” contract represents US$28 million over 15 years for Semmaris. The company will not invest any funds, but will lend their expertise (feasibility, construction and exploitation) and will allow them to use their brand 'Rungis Market International' for the Russian project. [43]

Locally grown organic produce is not marketed well enough, experts from the food industry said on Monday.


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A group of farmers, retailers, chefs, restaurant owners and government representatives gathered during a networking event organised by Local Food UAE to discuss how the situation could be improved.

“Sharing of information and transparency is the biggest problem,” said Sheikha Juma, an Emirati who owns a farm in Dubai. She said the UAE’s farmers grow between 20 to 50 products, competing with the same limited clientele.

Farmers were said to need more training in the post-packing processes. “Ninety-nine per cent of the farmers don’t know how to sell [their produce],” said Ahmed Al Romaithi, manager of the Zaarie programme, which finances organic farmers as part of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development.

“Their limits as a farmer end by boxing the produce. After that, they don’t deal with it. I visited many farms across the UAE and it’s all the same problem.”

He recently set up a meeting between 15 farmers and retailers to create channels of communication. “It’s helping now and they’re selling more,” he said. “If they don’t sustain their farms, they will have to close down. Supermarkets like local organic food because it’s as fresh as they can get and we plan on having them in more supermarkets, including Lulu Hypermarket, by January or February.” [44]

Fresh & More, a supermarket chain with 14 outlets in different parts of the UAE will open five new supemarkets in Sharjah and two more outlets in Dubai as part of its local, regional and international expansion plans. [45]

The Iceberg Agrícola SA company inaugurated a Vegetable Processing and Freezing Plant on Tuesday. This model plant, which is unique in South America, had a cost of 20 million pesos and will generate 70 jobs.

Iceberg Agricola SA was incorporated in December 1993 and focuses on the production, packaging and marketing of agricultural products (squash, pumpkins, asparagus, and Coquenas seeds). Since its beginnings, the company has focused on the external market. Currently, Iceberg Agricola SA exports to Dubai, England, United States, Italy, Holland, Germany, Spain, and Canada. In the past year, their export volume reached 8,125,000 kilos, and it is currently Argentina's leading exporter of squash. [46]

Honey peaches can be sold in Dubai at 18 Yuan per kilo, said Liu Zonglu, Chairman of Shandog Mengyin Wanhua Food Corporation, which is mainly engaged in fruit production, procurement, storage, processing and other services.

In recent years, along with the expansion of the Mengyin honey peach industry, the Chinese domestic market has become increasingly saturated, also the competition in the industry has led to smaller and smaller profit margins. This is why Wanhua Food Corporation focuses on foreign markets, first aim: Dubai.

Profits on foreign markets are substantial, but fruit quality requirements are very strict. In Dubai, all imported fruits must have an export authority certificate, with records of the production base, production area and wrapping area. Furthermore, there are strict work regulations and hygiene requirements for the production process of fruit.

After strict examination, newly built market transaction platforms with tons of fresh fruit were approved in Mengyin in 2014. The project was completed the same year, realizing a 40000 ton increase of fruit sales, sales revenue of 24 million Yuan with a profit of 707,000 Yuan. The annual income of local fruit farmers increased with 5000 Yuan.

Now, Wanhua Food Corporation already started to build a public service fresh fruit inspection platform. The expected annual amount of inspection transactions is 10,000 tons. The target for the increase of yearly revenues is 4 million Yuan. [47]

This year Dubai opened its borders for the British apples. The market in the Emirates mainly focuses on the expats living in the desert state. Specific varieties are shipped to this market, with size playing an important part. Among the exported varieties are Delbard Estivale, Red Windsor and Galmac. [48]

This year United Kingdom international fruit importer and distributor Worldwide Fruit is exporting English fruit through Waitrose to stores in Dubai. The supermarket recently had a Celebration of English Fruit in the United Kingdom which has been replicated in Dubai.


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We will have 7 or 8 English varieties of apples on sale in Dubai, but we will be looking at the sizing of the crop, as it is the size which counts when exporting to this market. This year Envy sizes seem to be smaller than last year," explains Rik Connor, Unit Business Manager for Fruition.

Among the British grown apple varieties exported to Dubai are Delbard Estivale, Red Windsor, Galmac, within the 'Best of British' range of Apples and Pears; a mixture of traditional and new English varieties, including Blenheim Orange, Ashmeads Kernel, Louise Bonne of Jersey pear, Concorde and Conference pears, the company will be looking at exporting Bramley apples in the future.

According to Connor exports started in the first week of September and a total of 14 varieties will be sent.

"Waitrose in Dubai is in partnership with Spinneys and the English fruit is popular with the expats. It is still a bit early to tell how the locals will take to the English varieties," said Connor. "The fruit has to be in there first to see how consumers react, but they are still buying it which is a good sign." [49]


RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Tuesday signed four agreements with Sudan to enhance cooperation in the fields of agricultural investment as well as to support the African country in boosting water and irrigation projects and addressing power shortage.

Among the three agreements, the first one is for supporting the 1,000 megawatts Red Sea Electricity Project with transmission line to address the power shortage on an urgent basis.

Under the second agreement, the Kingdom will contribute to the thirst eradication plan in the Sudanese countryside and water distribution schemes for a period from 2015 to 2020. According to the third agreement, the Kingdom will finance the Kajbar, Shuraik and Dal dam projects of Sudan. [1]

Bangladesh has proposed duty-free market access for its number of items like apparel, leather and leather goods, pharmaceuticals and agro-products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia market.

The proposal was made during a two-day 11th session of Joint Economic Commission Meet between Bangladesh and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which ended yesterday in the capital.

Welcoming the proposal, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its keen interest for enhancing bilateral trade and commerce between the two countries. Both sides also agreed to take necessary steps for technical cooperation between BSTI and Saudi Arabia Standards Organisation (SASO). [2]

Political conflict between Turkey and the Russian Federation is affecting citrus growers who rely heavily on the Russian market. However, Adana Citrus Producers Association President Rifat Karabucak says effects can be mitigated though work to increase domestic demand and ongoing links with other key markets including Saudi Arabia.

In the Cukurova region 70% of Turkey’s total citrus production takes place, the economic and political crisis experienced in the Russian Federation shook producers in the 2015-2016 citrus season. Karabucak, “30% has already been harvested. A large amount of the harvested product has been packaged and is in storage waiting to be exported. A significant proportion of product remains on the trees. Citrus producers are in a very difficult situation.

Turkey is in the top 10 countries for citrus production; out of the total citrus produced 32% is exported and out of the 2 million tons of fresh fruit and vegetables exported annually, citrus makes up half. Karabucak, “Lemons occupy the biggest share of exports with 42%. Mandarins make up 27% of exports, oranges 18% and grapefruit 13%. Most of Turkey’s oranges and lemons are exported to the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Romania and Saudi Arabia. These countries are followed by the EU. Mandarins are mostly sent to Ukraine, England, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia and East European countries as well as the rest of the EU. [3]

Saudi law enforcers seized a large quantity of drugs hidden inside onions in a shipment coming from another country, a newspaper reported on Thursday.

The paper did not mention where in Saudi Arabia the shipment was busted. [4]


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Thirty Greek companies operating in the food and drinks industry will be participating in the international exhibition FOODEX SAUDI 2015, to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between 17 and 20 November, in order to present their products to the still untapped Arab market.

These companies will exhibit products covering almost all areas of food and beverages, including bakery, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, etc.

FOODEX SAUDI 2015 is expected to involve 138 exhibitors from 29 different countries. [5]

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture in Ismailia, Mr Khalil Mubarak, reported that a total of 31,728 tonnes of fresh fruit, frozen vegetables, field crops and medicinal and aromatic plants valued at 2.23 million dollars were exported to Arab and European markets during October..

Exports included sliced mango, peanuts, white beans, frozen vegetables, frozen strawberries, frozen okra, green beans, frozen guava or grape and orange juice.

Destinations included Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Sudan.

Mubarak pointed out that the total export value of Ismailia's agricultural products between January and the end of October reached 241.76 million dollars and amounts to 2,759,433 tonnes. [6]

The Polish apple sector was hit hard by the Russian boycott last year. Since then, a lot of energy has gone into opening new markets for the top fruit. One trader notes Saudi Arabia Hong Kong, Algeria and India as alternate markets where prices are good. [7]

Egypt is currently one of the leading citrus producers in Africa. According to the latest report from the United Nations, the country produced more than four million metric tonnes of citrus during the 2013 season.

Of all citrus fruits grown in Egypt, oranges take the largest acreage, although lemons, mandarins and grapefruit are also cultivated. Egypt produces about 2.9 million tonnes of oranges, which between the seasons 2011 and 2013 accounted for 68 percent of the country's total citrus production. Two of the most common varieties grown are the Navel and Valencia.

In 2013, Egypt shipped approximately a million tonnes of oranges overseas and its leading export markets are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates the Russian Federation, and Hungary. [8]

Promoting bilateral trade between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is one of the foremost responsibility, among others of the Pakistan Consulate, said Pakistan Consul General M. Shehryar Akbar Khan during the inauguration of the Pakistan Pavilion in the 3rd edition of the Foodex Saudi Exhibition 2015.

Asif Hussain Memon, deputy consul general and acting consul (press), said the participating companies/exhibitors are among the top exporters from Pakistan dealing in fresh and processed products comprising meat, fish fruit and vegetables, spices and confectionaries.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette at pavilion, Abdul Wahab Soomro, commercial consul, said Saudi Arabia is the region’s largest food importer, with 74.1% of total production in the GCC, it imports more than US$25 billion worth of food and beverage products each year to meet its consumption demands.

He added that growing annually at 18.5 % due to expanding domestic market on account of burgeoning population and increasing annual pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia’s food and drink imports are likely to reach around US$70 billion per annum in the next four to five years, affecting all areas of the F&B sector.

Pakistan is an agricultural country and more than 50 percent of its exports are agro and textile based it has enormous potential to increase its exports by tapping halal food markets of Saudi Arabia. [9]. (23)

Qatar 2.3.

New York, Dec. 6 (BNA): Qatar played a prominent role in the launch of the initiative "Global Dryland Alliance", in recognition of the importance of the development of dry land, Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said.


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Addressing a seminar held on the occasion of the "World Soil Day", Sheikha Alya underlined that the State of Qatar took remarkable steps towards enhancing food security and reclamation of desert land for agriculture, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

As a member of the "Group of Friends on Desertification", Qatar highlighted the paramount importance of the phenomenon of desertification and soil erosion and drought, as one of the most dangerous phenomena of nature that has a serious impact on several aspects of sustainable development, she added.

Qatar's Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted the seminar in cooperation with the permanent missions of Italy and Thailand, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as part of the events held at the UN headquarters in New York to mark the World Soil Day under the theme "Soils, a solid ground for life". [1]

Qatar Airways is set to launch flights to Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with Government negotiations at an advanced stage.

The move would help support Qatar’s interest in developing other investment opportunities including agriculture, mining and real estate. [2]

DOHA: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, inaugurated yesterday the 4th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition at the Doha Exhibition Center.

More than 180 local and international companies are exhibiting their agricultural and food products.

The exhibition, which will continue for three days until November 12, is an opportunity for exchanging expertise in different fields of agriculture and modern irrigation systems.

Qatari farm products, which are represented at the exhibition, are of good quality and diverse. In addition, products from other GCC states are also being displayed at the expo. This is helping local producers exchange experience with their regional and global counterparts, the Deputy PM said.

“Qatar’s food security plans have begun to materialise, and the contribution of domestic production to self-sufficiency is increasing through many agricultural projects and animal production projects”, the Deputy PM added. [3]

Al Safwaa Farm, situated at the northern area of Qatar, produces about one tonne of organic vegetables daily, giving a great boost for the organic products market in the country.

With 660 acres of land, Al Sawfaa is the first farm in the country to get the organic farming certification of the highest international level, an official said.

“We are the first Qatari organic certified company in Qatar. We started organic farming in 2011 and in 2013 we got the certification," the farm's marketing manager Olfa told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the 4th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition ( AgriteQ), which concludes today.

“We have about 26 types of products which include five varieties of salad plants, two kinds of tomato, four types of eggplants and many others.We also have green beans, black beans and white beans.When we started, we had only four kinds of products.”

Olfa observed that there is great demand for organic products in the country. “In the beginning, we had some concerns how people will react to the organic products as their prices are higher than the ordinary products. In the beginning, we had to educate them and now there is great demand for organic products.”

At present 90% of the farm is used for organic agriculture and other products.

The farm does not sell the products directly. All the products are sold through Al Meera hypermarkets and supermarkets as well as Mono Prix Supermarket.

Mexico and Qatar signed an agreement on Tuesday to establish commercial flights between their capitals as the Gulf monarchy's ruler visited the Latin American nation.

Qatar is Mexico's fourth biggest trade partner in the Middle East. [4]


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Trade and economic relations and ways to develop them especially in fields of agriculture, industry and food security were discussed yesterday between a South African business delegation and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Qatar Chamber).

Qatar Chamber deputy president Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al-Kuwari said the African continent is promising from an investment point of view and is attracting investors from all over the world. “The visit by the South African delegation would pave the road for future co-operation prospects.”

He said that Qatar Chamber would extend support to South African companies in entering the Qatari market to establish partnerships with local businesses, adding that Qatar Chamber encourages Qatari businessmen to explore available opportunities, particularly in the fields of construction, food processing, agricultural investment and others. [6]

DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has provided support to an agricultural cooperative in Azew in the north of Ngazidja island in Comoros.

The cooperative members include some young farmers and graduates from agricultural institutes. QC’s support came through cultivating and planting a 10-hectare field, planting fruit trees (1,000 banana trees, 6,000 sugarcanes, and 500 pineapple trees), vegetables including potato. [7]

About 20 tonnes of Moldovan apples have reached Qatar's local market for the first time; a milestone that has been possible as a result of collaboration between representatives of the Moldovan Embassy in Qatar and the local business environment.

The shipment is intended as a test to find out whether consumers will be satisfied with the product's quality; there is consequently a chance that demand for Moldovan apples in this market may grow.

The Moldovan Embassy in Qatar was officially inaugurated on 14 April 2015 in Doha. It is the first embassy that the country has in an Arab state. [8]

A year-long project in Qatar to develop organic produce at reasonable prices is finally bearing fruit, according to the country’s Ministry of Environment (MOE). Speaking to Al Sharq this week, the ministry’s head of agricultural affairs said that Qatar now has five organic farms in operation. The aim of the farms is to help make healthy eating options more affordable for Qatar residents – and help boost the nation’s food security.

Last year, a regional study found that Qatar residents have been buying more meat, fruit and organic foods, as the young, wealthy, urban – and increasingly obese – population attempts to shift their eating habits to a more healthier diet.

Co-owner of Al Safwa organic farms, Olfa Guetata, said that it supplies ingredients to the Diplomatic Club, Italian restaurant La Spiga at the W Hotel and the French Supermarket Monoprix.

Guetata added that whereas some imported vegetables retail for QR150/kg, her farm’s organic tomatoes cost QR37/kg, which is much “more reasonable.”

The MOE is also working on a a project to connect new irrigations systems to 250 farms, with the aim of rolling out the system to all of Qatar’s 1,340 local farms, Al Khulaifi said.

As a desert nation with little agricultural resources and a rapidly growing population, Qatar is largely reliant on imports to feed its residents.

Though officials have previously said Qatar imports 90 percent of its food, Khalifa Al Ansari, head of farmers’ affairs at the MOE, said earlier this month that thanks to increased domestic production, that figure has dropped to 85 percent.

Qatar aims to reach a target of growing 40 percent of its own food by 2024. [9]

Oman 2.4.

Muscat - The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) has launched a portal to boost marketing and sale of Omani dates in the country and abroad.


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The website, www.omanidates.market was launched on October 26 during the six-day Omani Dates Festival in Nizwa, which concluded on Saturday.

The portal not only provides information on the different varieties of dates cultivated in the country, but also gives contact details of companies involved in their marketing and sales. [1]

Ba’ad village in the wilayat of Al Mudhaibi in the Governorate of North Al Sharqiyah is one of the most important agricultural villages in Oman, thanks to the high fertility of its soil and availability of fresh water.

Farms in Ba’ad village produce different agricultural crops, including date-palm trees, grapes and mangoes but in recent years.

In recent years, their attention has significantly turned towards pomelo, which are being harvested currently and generate high returns

There are two types of pomelo grown in Ba’ad village: Al Da’iri or the “round in shape”, and “Al Yahmadi”. Both types have achieved remarkable success for many years.

The crop is sold in various markets across the Sultanate, especially those in the neighbouring villages of Ba’ad, whether in the same wilayat or the wilayat of Ibra in the Governorate of North Al Sharqiyah. Some pomelo markets are located in Nizwa in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah.

He added: “Given the importance of the crop being considered an important economic return for villagers, interest in growing pomelo continues. Departments of agricultural development have paid constant attention to pomelo trees as the tree has suffered over the past years from diseases, which have resulted in losing large quantities of infected fruit. Though the disease is still there, but it is very much contained.” [2]

Muscat: Leading domestic and international scientists will gather this week for a two-day workshop to discuss the National Plant Agro-biodiversity Conservation Strategy.

Organised by the Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC), the workshop will cover themes including Oman’s plant agro-biodiversity; local plant species on the IUCN’s Red List; the use of plant genetic resources; conservation strategies for crop landraces; crop wild relatives, and medicinal plants; and the impact of climate change on plant genetic resources.

In addition to the OAPGRC, organisations providing input to the strategy and participating at the two-day workshop include representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries; Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs; Ministry of Heritage & Culture; Sultan Qaboos University; Oman Botanic Garden; National Field Research Centre for Environment Conservation; and Royal Court Affairs. [3]

The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center, based in Washington, D.C., and Texas Tech. The conference will host a conference on on agriculture in arid areas on 5 November in the International Cultural Center.

Christi Felton, ICC event coordinator, said. “So we focused on agriculture in arid areas. They are very much an arid area just like West Texas is. They’ve done some major breakthroughs in water research and things like that, and we thought West Texas, Texas Tech, Oman, we could all learn from each other.” [4]

Lithuania and Oman will be enhancing their ties following a visit to the Sultanate by the Neris Germanas, ambassador, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Lithuania.

Germanas said, “We are keen on letting Oman know that we can offer expertise and cooperation in sectors, such as ICT, agriculture, medical and education. We are a strong side and proud that we have achieved a lot after gaining Independence.”

He added that Lithuania can offer expertise in the area of agriculture since it plays a crucial role in the economy of the country.[5]

The Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering (SWAE) at the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences (CAMS) at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) held a workshop to celebrate “2015 International Year of Soils” on Thursday.

The 68th United Nations (UN) General Assembly has declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils (IYS). The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has been nominated to implement IYS 2015 within the framework of


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Global Soil Partnership and in collaboration with the governmental and the secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

IYS 2015 aims to create awareness and understanding about the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. [6]

French shipper CMA CGM has launched two new services from the major Arab gateway, the Port of Salalah, designed to improve trade links between Oman, Europe and North Africa

Two new weekly services, The Noura Express and EPIC service, are now being operated by the world’s third largest container shipping line.

The Noura Express service, on the East Africa trade lane, operates four vessels of up to 2,755 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) capacity and links the port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mombasa in Kenya, Mogadishu, capital of Somalia and Salalah, in Oman.

The Noura service call leverages the strategic location of Salalah to provide a new, fast cargo connection from East Africa to Europe, which can potentially also be used to accommodate Omani imports from Kenya and Somalia.”

The port of Salalah is undergoing a major expansion to double the quay length and increase dry bulk capacity to 20 million metric tons (MT), and liquid bulk capacity to six million MT annually. [7]

Bahrain 2.5.

The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) has organised a training course entitled " Methods of plant propagation," in cooperation with Agriculture Expert Dr. Mohamed Othman.

The course is within NIAD's efforts to achieve its goals.

The training course was attended by amateurs and those interested from the Kingdom of Bahrain from brotherly countries, who were informed about the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources.

NIAd Secretary-General Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa said that NIAD is keen to organise agricultural courses aimed at disseminating the required skills so as to achieve sustainable agriculture development in the Kingdom of Bahrain. [1]

Bahrain is looking for investors to develop agriculture projects in Sudan, a government official said.

Bahrain plans to invest in agriculture and livestock projects in Sudan and other African states to achieve food security and supply neighboring countries, a government official said.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Isa Al Khalifa, agriculture and marine resources undersecretary at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, told Zawya that these investments would provide Bahrain direct access to food production and storage bases.

"Even if we feel we are self-sufficient, we should consider storing food in neighboring countries to guarantee our future. It is not just agriculture; we also need silos, as our storage capacity is not enough."

"The starting point will be in Sudan, but at the same time, we are planning to access Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and Egypt. We will rent, and not build, those silos in cooperation with a specialized Italian company," he said, without naming the firm.

The undersecretary said that Sudan had granted Bahrain 42,000 hectares, with usufruct rights for 99 years, for agriculture and livestock projects and that the ministry is looking for Bahraini and other investors to implement them. He said a foreign company has submitted bids to invest in those projects, but did not elaborate.

"Naturally, if we maximize the potential of those lands, we would be able to reduce our dependence on importing major commodities like meat, wheat, rice and barley. Furthermore, those farms have the potential to produce more than what Bahrain needs, so we will be able to export food products," he added.


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The biggest challenges facing agriculture in Bahrain were scarcity of farming land due to urban expansion, concern over soil salinity and a shortage of irrigation water for commodities like wheat, rice, fava beans and sugar crops.

We depend on vertical farming to increase production and seeds, as well as to reduce waste before and after the harvest.

Sheikh Khalifa said that the Bahraini government used to subsidize 40 percent of farming costs, but that since 2015 it has been subsidizing 60 percent of the cost. The Housing Bank also provides direct financial support to farmers.

Farmers are also provided with irrigation equipment, pesticides and fertilizers, as well as agricultural counselors. [2]

Manama, Dec 3 (BNA): The fourth edition of the Bahrain Farmers Market will be opened on 5 December 2015 at the Budaiya Gardens.

More than 35 Bahraini farmers will participate to provide a variety of local agricultural products.

Bahrain Farmers Market targets promoting Bahrain's agricultural products and highlighting the development taking place in Bahrain's agricultural sector. It also aims to contribute to improving the Bahraini farmers' income through a marketing system prepared by the Agriculture and Marine Resources to assist in meeting the farmers' aspirations.

Bahrain Farmers Market will be open every Saturday until the end of April 2016, from 8 am to 12 noon. [3]

Manama, Dec 7 (BNA): Agriculture and Marine Resources Undersecretary Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa Al Khalifa today received the Sudanese Ambassador to Bahrain, Abdulrahman Khalil Ahmed, and discussed the latest development of the "Khairat Al-Bahrain" agricultural project established in Sudan.

The two sides reviewed steps to be implemented in the upcoming stage in support of the Khairat Al-Bahrain project, a vital project promoting food security system in Bahrain.

Géant, the fifth largest hypermarket chain in the world and a dominant brand in the food retail sector in the Middle East, has announced plans for new openings in Fujairah and Bahrain in the coming months.

The pipeline of new store was revealed as the retailer opened its eighth hypermarket in the GCC in Dubai.

The Géant Hypermarket in Dragon Mart 2 will feature over 65,000 products including daily deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables from local and international producers.

The retail brand said it will continue its expansion in the GCC with plans underway to open a hypermarket in Fujairah and in Wadi Al Alsail Mall in Bahrain. [5]

The Southern Governorate will open, on December 18, the fourth Al-Basta Market in Bahrain International Circuit (BIC)

Albasta will feature new vendors and added that palm corner will be supported by a national initiative to develop the agricultural sector and it will include vegetables and fruits planted in Bahrain. [6]

3. Price Information


Item Origin Low Price

(Dhs) High Price

(Dhs) Variety Size Pack

Chillies (Dried) India 180 190 Red 10 Kg

Chillies Green Oman 48 50 Green 4 Kg 1 Box

Chillies Morocco 16 16 Red Long 1 Kg

Chillies India 6,5 6,5 Green 1 Kg


20


(Dhs) High Price


Chillies Jordan 6 6 Long 1 Kg

Chillies UAE 12 12 Green 1 Kg

Mango (Dried) Thailand 220 220 4 Kg 1 Box

Mango Kenya 40 40 9 Pcs 1 Box

Mango Egypt 18 18 1 Kg

Mango Alphosno Indonesia 17 17 1 Kg

Mango Round Kenya 90 90 10 Kg Box

Mango Long Kenya 120 120 10 Kg Box

Mango Australia 18,5 18,5 1 KG

Apple Fuji Jumbo China 40 40 Green 8 Kg Ctn

Apple Green Slovenia 27,5 27,5 5 Kg Box

Apple France 40 43 Green 10 Kg Box

Apple USA 8,5 8,5 Golden 1 Kg

Apple Royel Gala Italy 6 6 1 Kg

Apple Golden Italy 6 6 1 Kg

Acorn Squash Oman 12 12 1 Pcs

Awla India 12 12 1 KG

Arvi China 12 16 8 KG Ctn

Avocado Morocco 21,5 21,5 1 KG

Avocado Kenya 13 14 1 KG

Avocado Mexico 22 23 1 KG

Banana Philippine 50 50 10 KG 1 Box

Broccoli Spain 42 42 Green 8 Kg Box

Bitter Melon Oman 40 40 Green 15 Kg Ctn

Beet Root Iran 9 9 7 Kg

Baby Marrow Oman 45 45 Green 15 Kg Ctn

Coconut India 35 35 30 PCS CTN

Capsicum Egypt 11 12 Yellow 1 Kg

Capsicum Egypt 11 11 Orange 1 Kg

Capsicum Oman 8,5 8,5 Green 1 Kg

Capsicum Spain 13,5 13,5 Red 1 Kg

Capsicum Spain 14 14 Orange 1 Kg

Cauliflower Oman 25 25 6 PCS Ctn

Cucumber UAE 70 70 Green 16 Kg Ctn

Cabbage Iran 22 22 7 PCS

Celery Iran 7 7 1 KG 1 Box

Carrot China 14 14 8 KG

Cantaloup Oman 6 6 1 KG

Drumstick India 25 25 Green 5 Kg 1 Box

Eggplant Oman 15 15 Black 8 Kg Ctn

Fresh Leaves Oman 10 10 1 Kg 1 Beg


21


(Dhs) High Price


Ginger (Fresh) China 19 19 7 Kg

Garlic China 35 35 7 KG

Guava Egypt 12 12 1 KG

Gawar India 30 30 5 KG Box

Chillies (Dried) India 180 190 Red 10 Kg

Chillies Green Oman 48 50 Green 4 Kg 1 Box

Oman 3.2.


(Rial) High Price

(Rial) Variety Size Pack

Chillies Oman 6 6 Green 10 Kg 1 Box

Chillies India 4,4 4,4 Green 4 Kg

Chillies Jordan 4 4

5 Kg

Mango Pakistan 1,4 1,5

1 Kg 1 Box

Mango Egypt 2,2 2,2

1 Kg

Avocado Kenya 1,8 1,8 Green 1 Kg 1 Box

Awla India 4 4

5 Kg

Apple USA 20 20

20 Kg

Apple China 9,8 9,8

110 Pcs

Acorn Squash Oman 4 4 Green 8 Kg Ctn

Arvi China 5,8 6

8 Kg Ctn

Banana Philippine 8 8

14 Kg 1 Box

Banana Oman 6,4 6,4 Green 12 Kg

Baby Marrow Oman 4,6 4,6 Green 12 Kg Ctn

Beet Root Oman 2 2,5 Red 10 Kg Ctn

Cucumber Oman 4 4

10 Kg

Cabbage Oman 3,5 3,8

8 Kg

Coconut India 4,8 5 30 Pcs Ctn

Carrot Oman 6 6,4

12 Kg 1 Bag

Cantaloup Oman 0,8 0,8

1 Kg

Capsicum India 4,2 4,2

6 Kg

Capsicum Oman 3,8 4

6 Kg

Califlower Oman 3 4

10 Kg

Drumstrick India 5,2 5,2

8 Kg

Eggplant Oman 3 3 Black 10 Kg Ctn

Freshleaves Oman 0,6 0,6

1 Kg

Ginger China 2,4 2,5

5 Kg

Grapefruit China 3 3

5 Kg 1 Box


22


(Rial) High Price


Garlic China 6,2 6,2

12 Kg Ctn

Guava Oman 0,8 0,8

1 Kg

Gawar India 8 8,4

10 Kg

Grapes Italy 1,8 1,8

1 Kg

Grapes India 1,2 1,2

1 Kg

Green Bean Oman 0,4 0,4

1 Kg

Kholrabi Iran 6 6

8 Kg

Kiwi Iran 2 2

2 Kg

Lemon Iran 4 4

4 Kg Box

Lemon Oman 0,6 0,6

1 Kg

Long Pakoda Oman 7 7

10 Kg

Lettuce Oman 0,3 0,3

1 Kg

Orange Africa 6 6

10 Kg

Orange Egypt 5,2 5,2

10 Kg Ctn

Onion India 4 4

10 Kg Ctn

Onion Pakistan 4 4

10 Kg

Okra Oman 7 7,5

10 Kg

Paprika Oman 4 4

6 Kg

Pomegranate Egypt 0,6 0,6 Red 1 Kg Ctn

Potato Pakistan 4,5 4,5

15 Kg Ctn

Pear China 3 3

5 Kg

Papaya Oman 0,6 0,7

1 Kg

Parval Oman 0,4 0,4

1 Kg

Strawberry Egypt 0,8 0,8

2.5 Grm 1 Box


23

Qatar 3.4.


(Rial) High Price


Chillies India 60 60 Green 5 Kg

Chillies Oman 13 13

1 Kg

Mango Australia 22 22

1 Kg

Mango Egypt 20 20

1 Kg

Avocado Kenya 96 105

6 Kg Ctn

Apple China 80 80 Gala 100 Pcs Ctn

Apple France 90 100

16 Kg

Apple USA 130 130 Green 16 Kg Ctn

Acorn Squash Oman 12 12

1 Kg

Banana Philippine 72 75

10 Kg

Beans Oman 11 11 Green 1 Kg

Bitter Melon Oman 32 35

4 Kg

Broccoli China 12 12

1 Kg

Baby Marrow Oman 60 60 Green 10 Kg

Beet Root India 40 40

8 Kg Ctn

Coconut India 45 50

30 Pcs

Cauliflower Oman 48 48

8 Kg Ctn

Cabbage Iran 22 22

10 Pcs Ctn

Celery Iran 10 10

1 Kg

Carrot China 20 20

10 Kg Ctn

Cucumber KSA 50 50

12 Kg Ctn

Cantaloup Oman 78 80

10 Kg Ctn

Capsicum (Peppers) Oman 58 60

10 Kg Ctn

Capsicum Spain 14 16

1 Kg

Drumstick India 14 14 Green 1 Kg

Eggplant Oman 40 40 Green 10 Kg Ctn

Fresh Leaves Oman 25 25

3 Kg

Grapefruit Turkey 50 52

10 Kg Ctn

Green Bean Oman 8 8

1 Kg

Ginger China 4 5

1 Kg

Garlic China 48 50

8 Kg

Guava Egypt 35 35

6 Kg

Kiwi Italy 28 28

4 Kg

Lettuce Iran 30 32

8 Kg Ctn

Lemon Iran 6 6

1 Kg

Orange Africa 24 24

4 Kg


24


(Rial) High Price


Orange Egypt 55 55

16 Kg

Onion India 75 90

18 Kg Ctn

Okra Oman 12 12

1 Kg

Pomegranate Egypt 24 24

4 Kg

Potato Pakistan 16 16

4 Kg Ctn

Pineapple Philippine 8 10

1 Pcs

Pear China 12 12

1 Kg Ctn



(Riyal) High Price

(Riyal) Variety Size Pack

Long Green Chillies KSA 40 45 Green 5-6 Kg Ctn

Long Green Chillies KSA 15 20 Green 2.5kg Bag

Long Green Chillies KSA 5 5 Green 1 Kg Bag

Mango Kenya 45 50 Big 6 Pcs Ctn

Mango Kenya 40 40 Medium 9 Pcs Ctn

Strawberry France 9 9

1 Kg Pack

Apple Green Chile 95 100 Green 18 Kg Ctn

Apple Red France 110 115 Red 17 Kg Ctn

Apple Gala Kenya 110 115 Gala 17 Kg Ctn

Avocado Philippine 38 40

20 Pcs Box

Banana Ecuador 20 20

5 Kg Bag

Banana KSA 50 60

14 Kg Box

Beans KSA 40 45 Green 10 Kg Box

Beet KSA 25 30 Red 10 Kg Bag

Beet Root Turkey 25 25

10 Kg Bag

Carrot KSA 20 20

12 Kg Bag

Carrot KSA 15 15

5 Kg Bag

Cauliflower KSA 70 70 Medium 12 Pcs Ctn

Cauliflower KSA 35 40 Small 8 Pcs Ctn

Cabbage KSA 15 15 Green- Big 6 Pcs Bag

Cucumber KSA 45 45 Green 14 Kg Ctn

Cucumber KSA 25 25 Green 7 Kg Ctn

Cucumber KSA 5 5 Green 1 Kg Bag

Capsicum (Peppers) KSA 5 5 Green 1 Kg Bag

Eggplant South Africa 25 30 Black 10 Kg Ctn

Grapes China 10 10 Green/Red 1 Kg Basket


25


(Riyal) High Price


Garlic China 5 5 1 Pack 0.900 G Bag

Garlic China 40 45 10 Packs 0.900 G Ctn

Ginger KSA 25 25

9 Kg Ctn

Green Bean Spain 6 6

0.750 G Box

Kaki Italy 30 35

3-4 Kg Ctn

Kiwi Egypt 25 25

23 Pcs Box

Guava Egypt 8 8

2 Kg Ctn

Lemon South Africa 15 15 6 Packs 2 Kg Bag

Lemon KSA 75 75 Big 12 Kg Bag

Lemon Egypt 22 25 Big 15 Kg Ctn

Lettuce KSA 25 30

9 Pcs Ctn

Lettuce Turkey 5 6 Green 1 Kg Bag

Mandarine Egypt 20 20

3 Kg Basket

Orange Egypt 22 25

16 Kg Ctn

Onion Egypt 18 20

18 Kg Bag

Onion KSA 9 10

9-10 Kg Bag

Onion KSA 6 6 White 3 Kg Bag

Onion KSA 10 11 White 6 Kg Bag

Okra KSA 140 160 Small 16-18 Kg Ctn

Okra KSA 45 50 Big 16 Kg Ctn

Okra Philippine 15 15 Small 1 Kg Box

Pineapple South Africa 40 45 8 Pcs Ctn

Pineapple Egypt 25 30 Small 10 Pcs Ctn

Pomegranate KSA 35 35

10 Kg Ctn

Potato KSA 5 6

2 Kg Bag

Potato USA 10 12

5 Kg Bag

Pumpkin KSA 12 12 Small 8 Pcs Bag

Spinach Oman 5 5

1 Kg Pack

Papaya Egypt 6 6

1 Pcs( Middle Sized)

Sweet Pepper Egypt 25 30 Yellow 3 Kg Box

Sweet Pepper Egypt 25 30 Red 3 Kg Box

Sweet Potatoes Egypt 10 10

1.5 Kg Ctn

Strawberry KSA 25 25 8 Packs 0,25 Ctn

Tomato Egypt 35 40 18 Kg Ctn

Tomato KSA 18 20

8 Kg Basket

Tomato China 12 15 10 Kg Basket

Taro KSA 35 40

9-10 Kg Bag


26


(Riyal) High Price


Zucchini KSA 60 70 Small 14 Kg Ctn

Zucchini KSA 35 40 Medium 9kg Ctn

Zucchini

10 10 Small 1 Kg Ctn

Item Origin Low Price (Riyal)

High Price (Riyal)

Variety Size Pack

Bahrain 3.6.


(Riyal)

High Price


Chillies (Dried)

Chillies Long Green Jordan 0,700 1,200

1 Kg

Chillies Green India 1,000 1,500

1 Kg

Chillies Green Fat Jordan 0,800 1,200

1 Kg

Chillies Red Thailand 4,000 4,000

1 Kg

Chillies Sweet Long Green KSA 1,000 1,200

1 Kg

Chillies Green KSA 0,800 1,000

1 Kg

Chillies Green Pakistan 0,800 1,000

1 Kg

Chillies Long Red Thailand 3,500 3,500

1 Kg

Chillies Green

Chillies Red India 1,200 1,500

1 Kg

Mango (Dried)

Mango Alphonso India 1,500 2,500

1 Kg

Mango Egypt 1,000 2,300

1 Kg

Mango R2e2

Mango Tomi

Mango Round Kenya 1,200 1,500

1 Kg

Mango Kent

Apple Kanzi

Apple Pink Rose France 1,000 1,400

1 Kg

Apple Green France 0,800 0,800

1 Kg

Apple Royal Gala Chile 0,800 0,800

1 Kg

Apple Fuji Fancy China 0,500 0,800

1 Kg

Apple Green Italy 0,800 0,800

1 Kg

Apple Red USA 0,800 0,800

1 Kg

Apple Iran 0,500 0,600

1 Kg

Avocado USA 2,500 3,500

1 Kg

Apple Jazz


27


(Riyal)

High Price


Arvi India 0,900 0,900

1 Kg

Acorn Squash Oman 0,800 1,000

1 Kg

Banana Philippines 0,500 0,800

1 Kg

Broccoli Spain 1,000 2,300

1 Kg

Bitter Melon India 0,500 1,000

1 Kg

Beans KSA 1,000 1,800

1 Kg

Baby Marrow Jordan 0,500 1,000

1 Kg

Beet Root UAE 0,500 0,800

1 Kg

Chikoo India 1,500 1,500

1 Kg

Coconut India 0,200 0,300

1 Pc

Capsicum Orange Jordan 1,200 1,800

1 Kg

Cauliflower Jordan 0,500 0,700

1 Kg

Cabbage KSA 0,300 0,600

1 Kg

Capsicum Yellow Jordan 1,000 2,000

1 Kg

Cucumber Jordan 0,400 0,800

1 Kg

Celery USA 1,500 1,800

1 Kg

Capsicum Green Jordan 0,500 1,200

1 Kg

Capsicum Red Jordan 1,200 1,800

1 Kg

Cantaloupe Oman 0,800 1,200

1 Kg

Citnass

Capsicum Red Holland 2,000 2,500

1 Kg

Capsicum Yellow Holland 2,000 2,500

1 Kg

Carrot China 0,400 0,500

1 Kg

Drumstick India 0,900 1,000

1 Kg

Eggplant KSA 0,500 0,700

1 Kg

Eggplant Jumbo Jordan 0,300 0,500

1 Kg

Fresh Leaves Bahrain 0,100 0,200

Bundles

Ginger (Fresh) China 0,500 0,800

1 Kg

Guava Egypt 0,800 1,000

1 Kg

Grapefruit Turkey 0,400 0,800

1 Kg

Gawar India 0,900 0,900

1 Kg

Garlic China 0,600 0,800

1 Kg

Iceberg Lettuce Spain 1,000 1,500

1 Kg

Kiwi New Zealand 1,200 1,800

1 Kg

Kholrabi

Lemon Turkey 0,600 1,000

1 Kg

Long Pakoda


28


(Riyal)

High Price


Lettuce Jordan 0,500 1,000

1 Kg

Mandarin Jordan 0,350 0,600

1 Kg

Mushrooms Oman 0,600 0,700

1 Kg

Nectarines Australia 2,000 2,500

1 Kg

Orange South Africa 0,400 0,500

1 Kg

Onion India 0,400 0,500

1 Kg

Okra India 1,000 1,200

1 Kg

Pomegranate India 0,500 0,700

1 Kg

Pineapple India 0,800 1,000

1 Kg

Potato Lebanon 0,300 0,500

1 Kg

Pear USA 0,800 1,000

1 Kg


29

4. News References

United Arab Emirates

1. WOP Dubai back bigger and better

27 October 2015 http://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/166914/wop-dubai-bigger-and-better

2. Arab importers coming to Brazil to purchase foodstuffs

24 November 2015 http://www2.anba.com.br/noticia/21869673/business-opportunities/arab-importers-coming-to-brazil-to-purchase-foodstuffs/

3. UAE Ministry of Environment & Water announces launch of Middle East Exhibition for Organic & Natural Products 2015 25 October 2015 https://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_Ministry_of_Environment__Water_announces_launch_of_Middle_East_Exhibition_for_Organic__Natural_Products_2015-ZAWYA20151025135656/

4. PH sends mangoes to Dubai

6 December 2015 http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-sends-mangoes-to-dubai/233068/

5. Jon Clark - Total Worldfresh Unusual transition to Southern Hemisphere supply 3 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149917/Unusual-transition-to-Southern-Hemisphere-supply

6. Expert says GCC should invest in food production 8 November 2015 http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/462121/expert-says-gcc-should-invest-in-food-production

7. UAE cost of living: education, 94 food items, healthcare to be exempt from VAT 7 December 2015 http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/uae-cost-of-living-education-94-food-items-healthcare-to-be-exempt-from-vat

8. French shipping company CMA CGM to boost Moroccan fruit and veg exports 26 October 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148069/French-shipping-company-CMA-CGM-to-boost-Moroccan-fruit-and-veg-exports

9. UAE imports US$161m food products from Western Australia 5 November 2015 http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MISC_293963.html

10. Abu Dhabi rejects more desalination despite growing water stress 10 November 2015 http://www.desalination.biz/news/news_story.asp?id=8235&title=Abu+Dhabi+rejects+more+desalination+despite+growing+water+stress

11. Africa is key to UAE's future 8 November 2015

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/markets/africa-is-key-to-uaes-future

http://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/166914/wop-dubai-bigger-and-better

http://www2.anba.com.br/noticia/21869673/business-opportunities/arab-importers-coming-to-brazil-to-purchase-foodstuffs/

http://www2.anba.com.br/noticia/21869673/business-opportunities/arab-importers-coming-to-brazil-to-purchase-foodstuffs/

https://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_Ministry_of_Environment__Water_announces_launch_of_Middle_East_Exhibition_for_Organic__Natural_Products_2015-ZAWYA20151025135656/

https://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_Ministry_of_Environment__Water_announces_launch_of_Middle_East_Exhibition_for_Organic__Natural_Products_2015-ZAWYA20151025135656/

http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-sends-mangoes-to-dubai/233068/

http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/uae-cost-of-living-education-94-food-items-healthcare-to-be-exempt-from-vat

http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/uae-cost-of-living-education-94-food-items-healthcare-to-be-exempt-from-vat

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MISC_293963.html

http://www.desalination.biz/news/news_story.asp?id=8235&title=Abu+Dhabi+rejects+more+desalination+despite+growing+water+stress



http://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/markets/africa-is-key-to-uaes-future


30

12. UAE’s first agricultural policy to benefit farming sustainability and profitability 4 December 2015 http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/uaes-first-agricultural-policy-to-benefit-farming-sustainability-and-profitability

13. UN and UAE to help food producers rebuild their lives

5 December 2015 http://www.thenational.ae/uae/un-and-uae-to-help-food-producers-rebuild-their-lives

14. Ministry of Environment and Water announces new phase of Nakheelna initiative

6 December 2015 https://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_announces_new_phase_of_Nakheelna_palm_trees_initiative-WAM20151206103039166/

15. Spinneys to increase UAE produce in eco move

8 December 2015 http://7days.ae/spinneys-increase-uae-produce-eco-move

16. Minister of Environment and Water signs MoU with Palestinian Minister of Agriculture 8 December 2015 http://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_Ministry_of_Environment_MoU_with_Palestinian_Ministry_of_Agriculture-WAM20151208084027100/

17. UAE signs cooperative sustainable agriculture agreement with Palestine

14December2015 http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510652785-uae-signs-cooperative-sustainable-agriculture-agreement-with-palestine

18. Trade agreements top US$1bn at Sial Middle east 16 December 2015 http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MISC_296841.html

19. Banana growers seek DA help vs Mokillo disease 17 December 2015 http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=banana-growers-seek-da-help-vs-mokillo-disease&id=120375

20. Minister of Environment and Water signs MoU with Palestinian Minister of Agriculture 8 December 2015 http://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_Ministry_of_Environment_MoU_with_Palestinian_Ministry_of_Agriculture-WAM20151208084027100/

21. Russia-Turkey Crisis: Ankara Set To Be 'Main Loser' After Putin Sanctions On Produce And Tourism 30 November 2015 http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-turkey-crisis-ankara-set-be-main-loser-after-putin-sanctions-produce-tourism-2204444

22. Turkish citrus sector calls for government action 14 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150461/Turkish-citrus-sector-calls-for-government-action

23. Peru: Entry of mangoes to Korea could open way in Asia

24 November 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149595/Peru-Entry-of-mangoes-to-Korea-could-open-way-in-Asia

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/uaes-first-agricultural-policy-to-benefit-farming-sustainability-and-profitability

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/uaes-first-agricultural-policy-to-benefit-farming-sustainability-and-profitability

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/un-and-uae-to-help-food-producers-rebuild-their-lives

https://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_announces_new_phase_of_Nakheelna_palm_trees_initiative-WAM20151206103039166/

https://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_announces_new_phase_of_Nakheelna_palm_trees_initiative-WAM20151206103039166/

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MISC_296841.html

http://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_Ministry_of_Environment_MoU_with_Palestinian_Ministry_of_Agriculture-WAM20151208084027100/

http://www.zawya.com/story/UAE_Ministry_of_Environment_MoU_with_Palestinian_Ministry_of_Agriculture-WAM20151208084027100/

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149595/Peru-Entry-of-mangoes-to-Korea-could-open-way-in-Asia


31

24. Brazilian exchange rate influences daily operations 4 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150152/Brazilian-exchange-rate-influences-daily-operations

25. India prepared for challenges in the banana sector 18 December 2015-12-20 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150811/India-prepared-for-challenges-in-the-banana-sector

26. China citrus industry shrank in 2015 17 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/print.asp?id=150647

27. Spain: Demand for living lettuce on the rise 16 December2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150664/Spain-Demand-for-living-lettuce-on-the-rise

28. Chilean cherries mostly to Middle East and Asia 10 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150391/Chilean-cherries-mostly-to-Middle-East-and-Asia

29. Mexico: Habanero chilies need changes for export 25 November 2011 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149659/Mexico-Habanero-chilies-need-changes-for-export

30. Growing demand for Egyptian citrus continues 19 November 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149409/Growing-demand-for-Egyptian-citrus-continues

31. South Africa: Stonefruit season similar to last year 19 Novebmer 2011 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148880/South-Africa-Stonefruit-season-similar-to-last-year

32. Philippine banana exports down by 9 - 11% 16 November 2011 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149193/Philippine-banana-exports-down-by-9-11-procent

33. Record apple harvest expected in Macedonia 11 November 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148973/Record-apple-harvest-expected-in-Macedonia

34. India: Pomegranate demand from Middle East significantly increased 11 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150363/India-Pomegranate-demand-from-Middle-East-significantly-increased

35. Indian exporters gain access to real-time monitoring technology 24 November 2015-12-20http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149586/Indian-exporters-gain-access-to-real-time-monitoring-technology

36. Egypt: Ismailia agricultural exports up to October 10 November 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148695/Egypt-Ismailia-agricultural-exports-up-to-October

37. Emirates SkyCargo launches daily flights to Bologna 29 October 2015 http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/30647/Emirates-SkyCargo-launches-daily-flights-to-Bologna

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150152/Brazilian-exchange-rate-influences-daily-operations

http://www.freshplaza.com/print.asp?id=150647

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150664/Spain-Demand-for-living-lettuce-on-the-rise

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149409/Growing-demand-for-Egyptian-citrus-continues

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148880/South-Africa-Stonefruit-season-similar-to-last-year

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149193/Philippine-banana-exports-down-by-9-11-procent

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148973/Record-apple-harvest-expected-in-Macedonia

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148695/Egypt-Ismailia-agricultural-exports-up-to-October

http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/30647/Emirates-SkyCargo-launches-daily-flights-to-Bologna


32

38. Middle East holding more Zespri fruit

2 December 2015 http://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/167297/middle-east-holding-more-zespri-fruit

39. Italy: Gala apples still have “huge potential”, says VOG chief 13 November 2015 http://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2015/11/13/italy-gala-apples-still-have-huge-potential-says-vog-chief/?country=united%20states

40. Brazil launches national fruit brand 29 October 2015 http://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2015/10/29/brazil-launches-national-fruit-brand/?country=united%20states

41. European export up, but not for fruit and veg 28 October 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148423/Egypt-one-of-Africas-largest-citrus-producers

42. Sharjah halal show gets a tourism vertical

1 December 2015 http://saudigazette.com.sa/business/sharjah-halal-show-gets-a-tourism-vertical/

43. Rungis wholesale market signs contract to assist Russia

10 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150442/Rungis-wholesale-market-signs-contract-to-assist-Russia

44. UAE organic farmers: 'Help us improve' 10 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150320/UAE-organic-farmers-Help-us-improve

45. Retail chain plans seven new outlets in Dubai 4 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150156/Kroger-boosts-expectations-as-profit-rises-%7C-Costco-sales-rise

46. Argentina: Iceberg Agricola SA processing, freezing plant unparalleled in S. America 3 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150061/Argentina-Iceberg-Agricola-SA-processing,-freezing-plant-unparalleled-in-S.-America

47. Mengyin honey peach exported to Dubai 23 November 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149486/Mengyin-honey-peach-exported-to-Dubai

48. British aim for year-round supply of British apple 6 November 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148707/American-apple-harvest-lower-and-smaller-sizes

49. English apples on sale in Dubai

28 October 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148087/English-apples-on-sale-in-Dubai

http://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/167297/middle-east-holding-more-zespri-fruit

http://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2015/11/13/italy-gala-apples-still-have-huge-potential-says-vog-chief/?country=united%20states

http://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2015/11/13/italy-gala-apples-still-have-huge-potential-says-vog-chief/?country=united%20states

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/148087/English-apples-on-sale-in-Dubai


33

Oman

1. MoAF launches portal to boost sale of Omani dates

1 November 2015 http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/MoAF-launches-portal-to-boost-sale-of-Omani-dates-4e84

2. Omani village looks forward to rich pomelo harvest 31 October 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/article/70771/Oman/Ba'ad-village-in-the-wilayat-of-Al-Mudhaibi-in-the-Governorate-of-North-Al-Sharqiyah-is-known-for-its-pomelos

3. Experts to discuss agrobiodiversity conservation strategy in Oman

2 November 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/article/70896/Oman/Environment/Scientists-to-discus--Oman's-National-Plant-Agrobiodiversity-Conservation-Strategy-at-a-two-day-workshop

4. Agriculture brings two nations together 3 November 2015 http://www.dailytoreador.com/news/agriculture-brings-two-nations-together/article_24dc6398-82a3-11e5-9f30-1fc1107aff8c.html

5. Lithuania and Oman to boost bilateral cooperation, says envoy 14 November 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/article/71732/Oman/Government/Lithuanian-Vice-Minister-of-Foreign-Affairs-Neris-Germanas-visits-Oman-in-effort-to-boost-bilateral-ties

6. Stress on soil conservation in Oman to achieve food security 4 December 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/article/72946/Oman/Workshop-stresses-on-soil-conservation-in-Oman-to-achieve-food-security

7. New shipping routes to boost Arab exports in Europe 8 December 2015 http://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2015/12/08/new-shipping-routes-to-boost-arab-exports-in-europe/?country=united%20states

Qatar

1. Qatar boosts food security, land reclamation

6 December 2015 http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/699832

2. Qatar Airways Set to launch flights to Zimbabwe

6 November 2015 http://www.chronicle.co.zw/qatar-airways-set-to-launch-flights-to-zimbabwe/

3. Deputy PM opens farm exhibition

11 November 2015 http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/358527/deputy-pm-opens-farm-exhibition

4. Organic farming in focus at the agriculture exhibition 11 November 2015 http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/462480/organic-farming-in-focus-at-the-agriculture-exhibition

http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/MoAF-launches-portal-to-boost-sale-of-Omani-dates-4e84

http://www.timesofoman.com/article/70771/Oman/Ba'ad-village-in-the-wilayat-of-Al-Mudhaibi-in-the-Governorate-of-North-Al-Sharqiyah-is-known-for-its-pomelos

http://www.timesofoman.com/article/70771/Oman/Ba'ad-village-in-the-wilayat-of-Al-Mudhaibi-in-the-Governorate-of-North-Al-Sharqiyah-is-known-for-its-pomelos

http://www.timesofoman.com/article/71732/Oman/Government/Lithuanian-Vice-Minister-of-Foreign-Affairs-Neris-Germanas-visits-Oman-in-effort-to-boost-bilateral-ties

http://www.timesofoman.com/article/71732/Oman/Government/Lithuanian-Vice-Minister-of-Foreign-Affairs-Neris-Germanas-visits-Oman-in-effort-to-boost-bilateral-ties

http://www.timesofoman.com/article/72946/Oman/Workshop-stresses-on-soil-conservation-in-Oman-to-achieve-food-security

http://www.timesofoman.com/article/72946/Oman/Workshop-stresses-on-soil-conservation-in-Oman-to-achieve-food-security

http://www.chronicle.co.zw/qatar-airways-set-to-launch-flights-to-zimbabwe/

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/358527/deputy-pm-opens-farm-exhibition


34

5. Qatar and Mexico sign aviation deal during emir’s visit 25 November 2015 http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/aviation-and-transport/2015/11/25/Qatar-and-Mexico-sign-aviation-deal-during-emir-s-visit-.html

6. Qatar Chamber offers support to SA investors

2 December 2015 http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/465134/qatar-chamber-offers-support-to-sa-investors

7. QC supports farm cooperative in Comoros 13 December 2015 http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/361928/qc-supports-farm-cooperative-in-comoros

8. Moldovan apples reach Qatarian market 8 December 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150122/Moldovan-apples-reach-Qatarian-market

9. Qatar goes homegrown and organic

24 November 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149596/Qatar-goes-homegrown-and-organic

Bahrain

1. NIAD organises training course

8 November 2015 http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/695184

2. Bahrain looks to Africa for food security 17 November 2015 https://projects.zawya.com/INTERVIEWBahrain_looks_to_Africa_for_food_security/story/ZAWYA20151117112846/

3. Bahrain Farmers Market to kick off next Saturday 17 December 2015 http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/699527

4. Bahraini-Sudanese agricultural cooperation discussed 7 December2015 http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/700256

5. Retailer Geant plans new hypermarkets in UAE, Bahrain 28 November 2015 http://www.arabianbusiness.com/retailer-geant-plans-new-hypermarkets-in-uae-bahrain-612487.html

6. Fourth Al-Basta Market set to open 16 December 2015 http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/701888

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/aviation-and-transport/2015/11/25/Qatar-and-Mexico-sign-aviation-deal-during-emir-s-visit-.html

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/aviation-and-transport/2015/11/25/Qatar-and-Mexico-sign-aviation-deal-during-emir-s-visit-.html

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/150122/Moldovan-apples-reach-Qatarian-market

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/149596/Qatar-goes-homegrown-and-organic

http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/695184



http://www.arabianbusiness.com/retailer-geant-plans-new-hypermarkets-in-uae-bahrain-612487.html


Documents

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