Food and beverage producers from across the GCC have made the most of a busy first three days of Gulfood 2022, capitalising on the opportunities at the 27th edition of the world’s largest annual F&B sourcing event at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) by putting pen to paper on a flurry of MoUs and new partnerships.
Growing appetite for green agribusiness
One deal that caught Food & Beverage Networker’s eye at Gulfood involved Dubai-based hydroponic farm management company Greener Crop, which specialises in setting up and operating commercial hydroponic farms, has maximised the growing appetite for agribusiness solutions with the signing of a partnership with Tamkeen Investments – an Oman-based venture capital firm – with the aim of developing and managing hydroponic farms in Oman.
Alexander Kappes, CEO of Greener Crop, and Mustafa Al Hinai, CEO of Tamkeen Investments, said that their shared goal was to expand the use of advanced farming technologies in Oman.
“Our focus is to enable existing and aspiring farmers in Oman, by providing them with a combination of cutting-edge technology, and data-driven farm management,” added Mr Kappes.
Disrupting conventional F&B sourcing and supply chain
Olive Country, which disrupts conventional sourcing and supply chain in the food industry, made the most of an energetic Gulfood, signing a partnership with Saudi Arabian water brand Berain and Oman’s most trusted dairy brand Mazoon for sourcing and distribution.
“This is our third year at Gulfood,” noted Ghassan Aboud, Chairman at Ghassan Aboud Group, which owns Olive Country, “and the exhibition has proven to be very effective and prosperous. Over the years, we have established several relations and signed notable deals with companies like Minerva Foods, AFFCO, JBS, Unilever, Hunter Foods at Gulfood,” he told us.
“Today we are pleased to announce our latest partnership with Saudi water brand Berain and Oman’s most trusted dairy brand Mazoon,” he enthused, adding that the group would continue in its journey and commitment towards investing in the food value chain. “We have expanded across several sectors including retail, online trade, catering, sourcing, and distribution. We have also announced our latest partnership with Abu Dhabi Ports to establish a Regional Food Hub in Abu Dhabi,” Mr Aboud revealed.
Camelicious – spreading its hoof-print
Meanwhile, Dubai-based Camelicious – owner of the world’s largest camel farm, and manufacturer of a wide range of camel-milk-based products – signed an MoU with Othaim Pharma Trading Company (Othaim Pharma) to expand the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Othaim Pharma – one of the leading distributors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – is to take our wide range of products to market with an objective of making Camelicious the number one camel-milk-based product brand in the country,” said Saeed Juma Bin Subaih Al Falasi, General Manager, Camelicious.
Gulfood is running at Dubai World Trade Centre until Thursday 17 February
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