Locally-produced vegetables top UAE retail outlets' shelves as summer season starts

With the start of the summer season for local agriculture, various types of vegetable products continue to top the shelves of retail outlets, amidst competition with imported ones, especially since cooperative societies prioritise displaying local products.

A number of farmers said that consumers have developed a high level of awareness regarding the importance of supporting local products, not only due to their quality, but also for the ease of finding them on sales shelves just hours after being harvested.

There is also a market demand for local products for several reasons, most notably their high quality which surpasses imports and their distinctive taste.

Some cooperative societies also stressed their keenness to continue displaying products from local farms within an organised system which supports the local product, enhances its continuity in the market, expands cooperatives' partnerships with citizen farmers, and works continuously to attract new farms to support the sustainability of the national agricultural sector.

Salima Al Shamsi, owner of Al Lulu Farm in Rimah Al Aanka area in Al Ain, explained that summer farming depends on crops capable of withstanding heat and climate change, therefore what is suitable is planted, and the most prominent varieties are okra, molokhia, sweet potatoes, eggplant, both hot and sweet peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, Armenian cucumber, quinoa, white and red onions, and pumpkin.

Issa Al Dabbous, a farmer, said "Preparation for the local summer farming season began this month to continue until the end of August, where we plant certain varieties such as legumes, cucurbits, sesame, peanuts, rice, and livestock feed herbs, for reasons related to the type of farming which is either open-field or in net houses.

There is a market demand for local products for reasons, most notably their high quality that surpasses imports, their easy access to sales shelves, and the fact that the price is affordable for everyone, He added.

Ayoub Abdullah, CEO of "Ajman Cooperative," affirmed the society's continuous commitment to supporting the local product as a fundamental pillar within its strategy, and working to develop sustainable partnerships with farmers to enhance local food security and keep pace with market requirements."

He added: "With the entry of the summer season, a relative and natural decrease occurs in the diversity of local agricultural production due to climatic factors. However, there are still varieties available in appropriate quantities, especially from farms, relying on protected farming techniques, most notably: cucumbers, tomatoes, some leafy greens, peppers, and eggplants”.

He added: "The society adopts a continuous approach in expanding the supplier base of local farmers, as it has listed a number of new farmers during the past period according to approved standards and procedures that ensure product quality and continuity of supply, as part of its commitment to supporting the local agricultural sector."

Mohamed Al Hashemi, CEO of Union Coop, confirmed the keenness to continue providing a range of fresh local products in the cooperative's outlets in all seasons, which include main varieties of vegetables and fruits.