Abu Dhabi-based producer leverages sustainable farming capabilities
Elite Global Fresh Trading (EGFT), a subsidiary of Yas Holding’s agriculture division Elite Agro Holding (EAG) and a leading UAE trader of fresh produce, has expanded its international footprint by exporting highly in-demand blueberries to the new destinations of Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, and India, adding to its existing export markets of Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
EAG is the first and biggest producer in the UAE to grow blueberries, and the first Emirati company to export to markets like Japan that have a tough requirement for high-quality certifications is an important milestone for EAG and the UAE, and a testament to its agricultural capabilities, the company revealed in a press statement.
“We are proud to see the expansion of the international distribution network for our high-quality and popular blueberries. This is a strategic move that supports the UAE’s food security and its vision for economic diversification, while placing the country among elite agricultural exporting countries,” noted Dr. Abdulmonem Almarzooqi, Elite Agro Holding Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board.
Last year, EGFT debuted locally grown blueberry exports to the international markets of Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
“We are optimistic about future growth in the export of blueberries to these new markets, which we have penetrated despite significant competition from producers in Morocco, Spain, and Peru. There is massive demand from the Asia-Pacific region for UAE-produced fresh, tasty, and high-quality blueberries and EAG is the pioneering and leading producer of five varieties of the fruit,” continued Rd. Almazroui.
EAG grows five exclusive MBO varieties of blueberries at its Al Foah Farm in Al Ain, where the company has doubled its blueberry production capacity by adding 14 hectares of greenhouses dedicated to growing an additional 72,000 plants for the 2023 harvest. Its output capacity has risen over the past two years, from 205 to 280 tons of blueberries in 2022, and from 280 to almost 400 tons in 2023.
EAG uses a combination of eco-friendly, sustainable, and modern farming solutions and practices in its UAE farms to minimise the use of natural resources and optimise crop yield. These include fully automated planting-to-harvesting methods, advanced adaptive irrigation, integrated pest management, and post-harvest management. Over the years, it has become a leading proponent of sustainable agriculture in the UAE, the press note concluded.
