Three new retail outlets selling local harvest have opened up in the Capital.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has opened three new retail shops for selling fresh local products, including vegetables, fruits, poultry and eggs. The outlets, outsourced to a private company, are located in Al Shahama, Al Amra area (Al Ain) and Zayed City (Al Dhafra).
The move is part of the authority’s efforts to help the emirate’s farmers market and sell their produce in local markets.
With the new shops, the total number of local produce retail outlets are eight, with four in Abu Dhabi, two in Al Ain and two in Al Dhafra.
“Opening new retail shops for selling local products translates the ADAFSA’s commitment to providing foods, including vegetables and fruits, to all consumers according to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces,” said Nasser Mohammed Al Junaibi executive director of investment and trade sector at the ADAFSA.
“Given the increasing demand for vegetables and fruits, and to support farmers, the authority strives to market and provide local produce to consumers at all times and under all circumstances,” he added.
The number of shoppers is limited to about 30 per cent of the shop capacity, and a social distance of at least 1.5 metres is kept between shoppers.
“Over 42 types of vegetables and fruits are cultivated in Abu Dhabi, many of which are produced from organic farms and Global G.A.P. certified farms,” said Al Junaibi.
“We are keen to diversifying channels to provide local products, whether temporary means such as the weekly farmers’ markets – held during the winter from November to May – or permanent retail shops at the residential areas in Abu Dhabi. In addition, we provide wholesalers in the Al Mina market with the fresh local products’ daily basis,” he added.
He also urged farm owners to join local products supply contract programme, which allows Abu Dhabi farmers to supply their produce easily and at competitive prices to the ADAFSA. “Given the closure of vegetable markets within the precautionary measures taken by the government in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, supplying farm produce to the ADAFSA has become the best option for all farmers.
Contractors can supply products to 17 centres near their farms,” Al Junaibi concluded.
