Elite Global Fresh Trading (EGFT), a subsidiary of our Food & Agriculture division, Elite Agro (EAG), and a leading UAE trader of fresh produce, has secured export agreements to take our well-loved farm grown blueberries to Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
EGFT is exporting the blueberries grown in our EAG UAE farms as part of our plans to expand the Elite Berry brand around the world. During this year’s harvest season from January to May, we expect to increase our output of blueberries to 290 tons, compared to 210 tons in 2021. We first planted our blueberry saplings in 2017. Since then, we have expanded our production of blueberries to accommodate a growing demand for the superfood.
We grow four exclusive varieties of blueberries at our Al Foah farm in Al Ain, which covers an area of 12 hectares with 20 greenhouses. Each greenhouse contains 3,350 blueberry plants that thrive in a climate-controlled environment enabled by state-of-the-art automated technology.
Through expanded production and regular planned exports to Asian markets, EGFT is demonstrating our commercial strength, in line with the UAE’s food security strategy. We have also exponentially reduced the farm-to-shelf time for blueberries, increasing flavour retention and maximising freshness for their customers, as part of our mission to produce high quality food customers can trust.
“As the UAE’s only producer of locally-grown blueberries, through investment in our farms, our increased capacity has enabled us to build both commercial strength, whilst continuing to support the UAE’s ongoing food security agenda. We are extremely proud of our expansion into new export markets, with international customers now being able to enjoy our high-quality Elite Berry blueberry varieties in support of their health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Abdulmonem Almarzooqi, Elite Agro’s Divisional CEO and Board Member.