F FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES MIDDLE EAST · 2015. 5. 21. · Tomatoes, onions and watermelon are...

F FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES MIDDLE EAST

APRIL 2015

FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES MIDDLE EAST

APRIL 2015

FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLE MIDDLE EAST

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Contents

1. Market Dynamics ...................................................................................................................................1

United Arab Emirates ...................................................................................................................1 1.1.

Oman ...........................................................................................................................................1 1.2.

Qatar ............................................................................................................................................1 1.3.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .............................................................................................................1 1.4.

Bahrain .........................................................................................................................................2 1.5.

2. Media .....................................................................................................................................................2

United Arab Emirates ...................................................................................................................2 2.1.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .......................................................................................................... 12 2.2.

Qatar ......................................................................................................................................... 17 2.3.

Oman ........................................................................................................................................ 20 2.4.

Bahrain ...................................................................................................................................... 22 2.5.

3. Price Information ................................................................................................................................. 24

United Arab Emirates ................................................................................................................ 24 3.1.

Oman ........................................................................................................................................ 27 3.2.

Qatar ......................................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .......................................................................................................... 30 3.4.

Bahrain ...................................................................................................................................... 32 3.5.

4. News References ................................................................................................................................ 34


1. Market Dynamics

United Arab Emirates 1.1.

Fresh chillies are from India, Oman and Bangladesh. Dried chillies are only available in Dubai’s wholesale market and are from India although their quality is not very good.

Mango season is getting underway with good demand from customers. Dried mango is coming from Thailand and other mangoes are coming from Australia and India.

Overall there is a bit of a market downturn with fewer customers attending the market and vegetable prices generally high. Tomatoes, onions and watermelon are among the reduced produce in season, while the season for most vegetables, including eggplant, cabbage, green beans, celery, cauliflower, lettuce, bitter melon and turnip etc., is coming to an end.

The weather is good for growers, but war in Yemen is generally having a negative effect on business with fewer customers from surrounding regions and reduced imports from Iran, Oman, Pakistan and Yemen.

Oman 1.2.

Dried chillies are not available in the Oman market. Green chillies are coming from India along with a good supply of both red and green chillies grown in Oman.

Mango is coming from Pakistan but is in short supply and has limited customer demand. Dried mango is not available.

There is little demand for avocado, which is not always found in the market, even wholesale. Where it is available the supply is usually from Dubai or Kenya and the price is high.

The season for most vegetables has ended and supplies are limited, with unseasonal items like chillies, bitter melon, cabbage, carrot, capsicum, kohlrabi, pagoda, potato and tomato etc. increasing in price. However, sales continue as expected. An oversupply of lemons from Egypt and Turkey has resulted in low prices for consumers.

The weather is good and unlike some other parts of the region, Oman is not affected much by the war in Yemen as its market services more local customers and grows some of its own produce.

Qatar 1.3.

Fresh chillies are primarily coming from India, although they are also available from Thailand and the United States of America. There is good demand for them but limited supply and prices are high. Dried chillies are not currently available.

The mango season has started with mango coming from India and Yemen, although the war in Yemen is affecting supply and prices are generally high. Dried mango is not available.

There is good demand for avocado and though Kenyan avocadoes are smaller than some those from some other countries, they are popular for their lower price.

In general the market is depressed with high prices for vegetables that are coming to the end of their season and the impacts of war being felt.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 1.4.

Prices are generally a little high as a result of conflict in the region. Traders say they have fewer goods and most on sale currently are from storage, as many new goods are getting held up in port and


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border crossings. However, they expect that within two weeks the pressure will have alleviated and prices will drop.

There are few mangoes in the market and those available are only from India and are very expensive. Avocados are only from Kenya and are relatively cheap this month. Tomatoes are also cheap now and tomatoes from Jordan are in the market for the first time alongside those from Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

There are no fruits and vegetables from Syria. A good supply of lemons from Egypt and Turkey mean low prices for consumers, while oranges are only available from Egypt. In contrast to recent months, there is little fruit to be found from Spain.

Bahrain 1.5.

While fruit and vegetable supply from the conflict zones of Syria and Yemen has significantly reduced, supply from other countries like Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan and India remains the same and prices are currently stable. It’s anticipated that availability of oranges and grapes will diminish as summer temperatures increase. Yemen and India are currently the two sources of mangoes in the market, but chillies are more widely sourced.

2. Media

(*Where articles reference the Middle East in general, results are posted under United Arab Emirates but may also include other countries)


PUNE: Mango exporters fear a significant decline in shipments even as the European Union has lifted the ban on Indian mangoes. They fear the fruit may not be able to withstand being treated with hot water for an hour. Government agencies plan to assess this claim.

The European Union (EU) reversed the two-year ban on the import of Indian mangoes, citing evidence of fruit flies, after authorities promised that mangoes meant for exports will be treated with hot water.

Unlike the produce from other prominent mango-exporting countries, Indian mangoes are exported via air, which keeps the eggs of fruit flies alive. A fruit fly cannot survive in cold temperatures of storage in the sea route.

Officials told ET the decision of hot-water treatment was taken based on existing data available from government agencies. Accordingly, the mangoes have to be treated at 48 degree Celsius for one hour. However, Sanjay Pansare, a prominent wholesaler of mangoes and a member of Agricultural Produce Management Committee (APMC) said, ‘Mangoes will be destroyed if we treat them at the prescribed temperatures. Our own research shows that we can get rid of fruit flies if we treat mangoes at 55 degree Celsius, for just six minutes.’

According to traders, 40% of the mangoes that arrive at the Vashi APMC are exported, 35% of them to the Middle East.

In a response to the ban imposed by the EU, Maharashtra, the biggest mango exporting state in the country, has implemented 'Mangonet', a traceability system that is successfully used in export of grapes and pomegranates. ‘We have registered 3,500 orchards under Mangonet. (1)

Kenyan fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, coffee and tea are popular in the United Arab Emirates and many supermarkets and grocery shops stock them. The United Arab Emirates is among the leading import markets in the Middle East for Kenyan agricultural products with annual trade worth more than US$220 million.


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Andvertising agency executive says ‘I have tasted mangoes from other parts of the world but nothing matches the quality and the sweetness of Kenyan fruit,’ he says.

A Filipino secretary who buys Kenyan fruit and vegetables from her local supermarket in Deira says ‘Though most Filipinos prefer fruits from the Philippines; an increasing number in Dubai also buy Kenyan fruits. They are tastier.’ Kenyan food products are also popular among the 50,000 Kenyans in the United Arab Emirates.

Kenyan mango exporters have hit the jackpot after participating in the Gulf Food Show in February. The fruit now has more visibility and imports are expected to exceed the current US$1.1 million. Kenyan mangoes are on demand in the United Arab Emirates because supplies from the traditional markets of China and India are off-season between November and April. (2)

Dubai: Economists and local business people are attributing a drop in fresh food prices in Dubai to volatility in currency and oil.

The price of fresh food in Dubai dropped by 1.1% in February 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

‘The appreciation of the US dollar against the euro and a low oil price are the main factors behind the drop in food price in the United Arab Emirates,’ said Dr Abdul Razzaq Al Fares, Chief United Arab Emirates economist.

Fresh food prices continued to follow a seesaw pattern affected by currency value and oil prices as United Arab Emirates imports 85 % of its food, Al Fares said.

Saeed Al Sagheer, General Manager of Al Sagheer trading Company, said that most of food and vegetable prices have dropped because of the depreciation of the euro.

‘Some vegetable prices, such as potatoes, dropped by 60% while fruits, which is mostly imported from Europe dropped by 10% to 15%,’ he said.

This index usually involves monthly collection of 590 price quotations for fresh food items from seven major retail outlets in Dubai and includes most of the essential fresh food categories, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetables.

The United Arab Emirates’s currency is pegged to the dollar so the increase in the dollar value will not have a negative impact on food imports and the trader will pay less in this business. This will automatically lead to price drop.

The index highlighted an upturn in the prices of fresh food by 1.5% in February 2015 compared to January 2015. The largest increase was in vegetables at 3.8% followed by fruits at 3.3%. (3)

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has confirmed that the layer of wax, which covers most imported vegetables and fruit, should not be a cause for worry by consumers, the Arabic daily newspaper ‘Emarat Al Youm’ has said.

ADFCA stressed that the wax is made of natural materials that protect the fruit from oxidation and dehydration and that United Arab Emirates specifications (FDS/CAC 192: 2014) allow the use of waxes and varnishes for preserving the quality of fruit.

ADFCA was responding to recent discussions on social networking sites about whether fruit and vegetables covered in wax are safe to consume. Some thought that the layer of wax is harmful and difficult to be removed with water. (4)

The Atlantic Gulf Company (AGCO) is a Moroccan firm devoted to the export by airfreight of quality fresh fruit and vegetables to regions mainly Europe, the Middle East and Africa. AGCO specializes in several different varieties of tomatoes, clementine oranges along with a wide range of products totalling to more than 60 items.

Regarding strawberries, AGCO exports mainly the Camarosa and Festival varieties and works specifically with the Middle East.


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‘In this area, Dubai is a very competitive market, as there is produce from Egypt, Turkey or Lebanon, so we export to other destinations, like Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Bahrain,’ explains Marketing Director Karim Al Adlouni. ‘Saudi Arabia is a quality oriented market and also offers a safe commercial environment.’

Pricing changes every year and is heavily dependent on the weather.

‘Warm weather leads to higher production and lower prices, but if it’s cold up to late February, like this year, production levels are not optimal, and prices go up. The weather is now getting warmer, so prices will also likely go down soon.’

The strawberry season in Morocco usually starts around January and, if conditions are right, continues until June. The biggest challenge for the Moroccan strawberry sector lies in acquiring certificates. It affects more the local growers to get certified by either Global G.A.P or at least HACCP. As a result, some local growers are facing difficulties to export their own fruit. However, AGCO is fully certified. (5)

Fresh Del Monte Produce (NYSE:FDP)’s share price reached a new 52-week high on Friday, Analyst Ratings Net reports.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is engaged in sourcing, transportation and marketing fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a producer and distributor of prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, beverages and snacks in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The Company sources its fresh produced products, , such as bananas, pineapples, melons, tomatoes, grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, citrus, avocados, blueberries and kiwi from Central and South America, Africa, the Philippines, North America and Europe. (6)

Dubai traders have agreed not to hike the prices of fruits and vegetables during the coming holy month of Ramadan, the Ministry of Economy said on Wednesday.

The move is aimed at preventing price rigging and exploitation of customers when the demand goes up. Hence, the ministry has come to an agreement with the suppliers and traders to import 20 to 30 % more vegetables and fruits daily during Ramadan.

The Ministry will monitor the markets to prevent price hikes. The ministry has also called on traders to import different varieties of vegetables and fruits.

The decline in the Euro’s value and oil prices have helped increase imports from some EU countries such as France, Germany and England. A lot of produce originating from these countries is increasingly seen in the country’s markets these days, especially apples and oranges, whose prices have dropped by 30 %. Potato, he said, is being imported from France, which led to a decline in its prices.

Al Nuaimi said Dubai is a unique emirate, which has a strategic stockpile of commodities. Its storehouses have a capacity of 100,000 tons. (7)

PUNE: If India's total agricultural exports dropped this year, then Maharashtra's took a nosedive. Onions, grapes, pulses are the worst hit.

Maharashtra is a major exporter of grapes, mangoes and onions. Grapes are exported to the European Union, Middle East, China, and South-East Asian countries in bulk, whereas mangoes are supplied to Europe and the Middle Eastern countries. Onions are mostly exported to the Middle East, the official said.

Onion exports from the state dipped by 103%, from April to December 2014, (as compared to the same period in 2013-14), bringing its 2013 export value down from Rs 1,255 crore to Rs 683 crore.

Grape exports dipped by 40%, with its export value reducing by more than 23% this financial year. Exports of other processed vegetables and fruits, basmati rice, mangoes, other fresh fruits and vegetables and cereals also took a hit.


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‘Bad quality of grapes due to inclement weather, unseasonal rainfall several times in the year brought down the export in 2014-2015. They lost out to the produce from other exporting countries,’ the official said.

The unseasonal rain damaged onion seed plots in the state, thereby, affecting the export. Fixing of minimum export price on onions by the government also affected onion exports to other countries, he said.

Ankit Poddar, managing partner at an export company in Mumbai, Vashi and Pimplegaon, said that one of the reasons which affected onion exports was a glut of onions going to the Middle East from Pakistan this fiscal.

Moreover, Indian grapes were not much in demand in Europe and Russia this fiscal. Hence, exporters were forced to export the extra produce to Dubai. ‘Due to high supply of grapes in United Arab Emirates and comparatively less demand, the market for grapes crashed and exporters had to sell grapes at below-cost prices,’ added Poddar. (8)

The kinnow mandarin season exporters in Pakistan are being careful with operating procedures for shipments to Europe, aware of the impact of bans on Indian mangoes last year and the Middle East is among new regions taking good volumes from Pakistan this year.

Imtiaz explains that the mango campaign last year was very tough due to the sudden implementation of new and strict phytosanitary rules

He assures that the procedures for growers are now those of the Global G.A.P. certification and Pakistani growers are making a great effort to ship fruit meeting Europe’s high standards to all destinations.

‘While Europe is traditionally not a large destination for Pakistani citrus, export volumes have dropped by more than 50% compared to last year. Meanwhile, shipments to neighbouring countries, like Singapore or Malaysia, have increased because of China’s problems with the mandarin harvest,’ affirms Imtiaz.

‘Indonesia is coming back as a major market, although Russia remains the number one destination for Pakistani citrus, the Middle East, as well as Ukraine and Poland, are taking good volumes from Pakistan this year.’ (9)

The situation for Pakistani mangoes is expected to improve compared to the past two years, according to Danish Maqbool of Khalid Maqbool which produces two mango varieties for export, the Sindhri and the Chonsa of which a small percentage goes to the Middle East.

The quality will be much better than last season, when we had issues with the crop and many problems with our exports to the European Union, and the weather this year is more favourable,’ affirms Danish.

Last year, Europe’s ban on Indian mangoes collaterally put a lot of pressure on Pakistani exporters who only achieved 20% of their usual business. This year the company is receiving greater support from the government such as achieving the different certifications required.

Khalid Maqbool has an export capacity of around 10 tons per week, a small percentage goes to the Middle East. (10)

The first Alphonso mangoes from India have reached Europe after the lifting of the EU ban.

The EU banned Indian mangoes and four other vegetables with effect from 1 May 2014, bringing the 2014 mango season to a halt. There was a re-audit in September of last year, and following assurances from the Indian government the ban on Indian mangoes was lifted earlier this year.

The mangoes now either undergo either a hot water treatment prior to export, or the Vapor Heat Treatment, used by Japan to eliminate the fruit fly and proposed by the Indian Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA).


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Prakash Khakhar, of Kay Bee Exports said Kay Bee is gearing up for a strong mango campaign in the coming months with exports planned to various countries in Europe, United States, Middle East and South East Asia.

Kay Bee Exports sources mangoes, known for their soft flesh and thin skin, from certified orchards in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Soft-skinned varieties like the Alphonso and Kesar can only be airfreighted. The unit price of the mango thus is significantly higher than other sea-freighted varieties. (11)

Dubai currently imports about 11 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables per day, of which 30% to 40% are re-exported to many of the neighbouring countries in the region, as confirmed at a meeting held by the Ministry of Economy with the leading suppliers of the Al Aweer market in Dubai.

The suppliers confirmed that both the decline in the Euro exchange rate against the dollar as well as the lower oil prices have greatly contributed to making importing from EU countries easier, noting, for example, that potatoes are imported from France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and that the import costs for some fruits, like apples and oranges, have dropped by nearly 30%.

Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the Consumer Protection Department in the Ministry of Economy, also met with leading fruit and vegetable supplier in the Emirate of Dubai. The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the ministry and all suppliers, emphasising the need to preserve the stability of the markets and prevent high commodity prices, especially ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

He explained that all efforts will go for the most demanded fruit and vegetable varieties to maintain their prices during the holy month of Ramadan, noting that suppliers are getting ready by raising import levels in order to ensure the provision of all basic commodities needed by consumers. (12)

PUNE: Mango production could fall by about a fourth this year, leading to a rise in prices, according to traders, who said Alphonso mangoes have already turned 50% costlier than last year, when the premium variety from Maharashtra suddenly became cheaper by almost half due to the ban clamped by the EU.

Traders and farmers are worried that the rainfall in the first week of March that affected most parts of the country may result in a sharp drop in mango production.

Gujarat, which exports mangoes to the Middle East and the EU, reported a considerable loss to its mango crop.

A long term grower and trader said, ‘Almost 70% of the Kesar mangoes from Kacch and Junagadh have been destroyed, while 80% of the Gujarat Alphonsoes are damaged. The Gujarat mangoes will be late by a couple of weeks and the prices will depend on how much exports take place.’

Rains have impacted the quality as well as quantity of mangoes, reducing availability of good quality produce this year.

Sanjay Pansare, director (fruits) at Vashi Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee, said mango arrivals are just about half of last year and this will affect prices during the entire season.

But it is too early to comment on prices as the fruits will come to market only from June.

Arrival of mangoes is expected to increase substantially from the middle of April. Delhi, which is currently getting mangoes from Kerala, will start getting the Safeda mangoes from Andhra Pradesh - the top mango producer in the country.

‘Rains made the fruits (output) fall in Warangal and Vizianagaram districts while lack of rains damaged the crop in Krishna district,’ said Sudesh Sachdeva, former president of Mango Merchants' Association (south mangoes) at Delhi's Azadpur mandi. The national capital gets its mangoes mainly from Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Ratnagiri Alphonsoes, which are the most expensive, go for exports and are consumed locally in the state.


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The fall in prices post the EU ban last year was so stiff that the state government initiated an enquiry. This year, however, the prices are likely to remain firm as production is less while exports have resumed.

Alphonsos are currently being sold at Rs 600-1,500 a dozen. While officials pegged the Alphonso output at 30% less than last year, traders said the production could dip by as much as 50% compared to last year. (13)

The President of the Russian Customs Service, Andrei Blianinov, announced this Wednesday that Egypt, Jordan and Turkey have been offered the creation of a ‘green corridor’ to facilitate the supply of fruit and vegetables from these countries to the Russian Federation.

During his speech in front of the Russian Duma, Blianinov stated that Moscow has issued the proposal to Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, as well as Azerbaijan, to facilitate the supply of perishable products and ensure their freshness on arrival.

It is worth mentioning that other countries, like Syria, also seek to create a ‘green corridor’ with Russia, so as to facilitate the transfer of goods and agricultural products to Moscow, since the size of the Russian market is estimated at 12 billion Euro per year. (14)

Post-harvest companies will pack millions more kiwifruit this season as gold volumes almost double.

Mr Jager said Zespri had continued to develop new opportunities in Japan and Europe and was developing markets in rapidly developing economies, including China, the Middle East and Brazil.

‘Zespri sales in China have grown at about 30 % per annum over the last decade and are forecast to continue at around 20 % per annum until 2020, with China expected to be Zespri's number one market a few years time.’

Zespri chief executive Lain Jager said the industry was forecasting a harvest of about 30 million trays of gold kiwifruit compared to 18 million trays last season and would surpass the previous high of 29 million trays sold in the 2011.

DMS chief operations officer Derek Masters said ‘We are confident that the 2015 season will be another of exponential growth for the industry as the recovery of the sector continues to gain momentum off the back of a challenging few years.

‘Crops are looking good with increased volumes coming on stream this year.’ (15)

Cape Town - In a bid to protect South Africa’s R10 billion citrus industry, the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa recently decided to cut exports to Spain for the rest of 2015 and look toward new markets including the Middle East.

The citrus industry is concerned that continued exports to Spain would threaten its market in the rest of Europe, which constitutes 44% of the country’s citrus exports.

In 2014, the chief executive of the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa, Justin Chadwick, said complying with the requirements to export citrus fruit to the EU market was costing the local industry R1 billion.

‘Growth and potential of the local citrus industry is being hampered by the strict regulations, and as a result there may be a shift in trade lanes as South African growers look to export to other markets instead,’ he said.

‘Although Europe will remain South Africa’s biggest fruit trading market, we are certainly seeing an increased appetite in other markets, including Asia and the Middle East.

The Middle East especially was a lucrative option for South African exporters, having doubled its percentage of the South African market from 10% to 20% of the country’s overall export market.

In recent years instances of citrus black spot has become an issue, especially for South African exporters.


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‘Last year, our citrus shipments went through 28 interceptions en route to the EU, and 10 of these interceptions were in Spain, which showed there was an issue in that region,’ he said. (16)

DAVAO CITY – Banana growers and workers of Japanese fruit giant SUMIFRU (Sumitomo Fruit) are up in arms this week over a piece rate system scheme that violates the Labor Code. Sumifru (Philippines) Corporation is in the business of sourcing, production, shipment and marketing of fresh fruits. It mainly exports quality Cavendish bananas, pineapple and papaya to China, Japan, Korea, Middle East, New Zealand and Russia. (17)

In line with its continuous efforts to assist economic decision-making process in Arab countries, the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) has released the first edition of ‘Arab Economic Outlook’ report.

The report aims at providing policy makers with forecasting and analytical vision on the expected macroeconomic performance of the Arab countries in 2015, including economic growth, inflation, monetary policy, public finance and external sector. These expectations reflect the recent international, regional and domestic developments and the ongoing economic reforms in Arab countries.

The AMF expects Arab countries to grow by 3% in 2015.

The ‘Arab Economic Outlook’ expects the inflation rates in Arab countries to decrease slightly from 4.27% in 2014 to 4.14% in 2015 in line with the declining trend of international oil and food prices. The effect of the declining in the international prices will be more recognized in the Arab countries with higher levels of food imports. (18)

Mondal has created the brands PickFresh and IndoFresh and has begun an export campaign to Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Dubai, sending between 10-15 containers per week.

However, with a large network of banana growers harvesting throughout the year, Mondal says he can seriously ramp up volumes if demand is there.

‘The Gulf markets are the best for Indian bananas in comparison to traditional supply sources like the Philippines and Ecuador because I can get my bananas to these destinations within four to 12 days transit time.

‘Considering the short time since starting Pick N Serve, we are doing very well. Finding huge gaps in the market and without any other visible players, we could launch our two bananas brands. The response has been overwhelming and I’d like to increase export volumes drastically to around 200-300 metric tons (MT) per week.’

The Pick N Serve operations team is headed up by Pankaj Patil who is using a technique where bananas are harvested, sorted, graded, washed and packed in the field, making the fruit less susceptible to bruising on the outer skin, which can become visible after ripening. For now, I want to increase banana volumes to the Gulf markets, but in time I’ll be looking at European markets and increasing our brands to include pomegranates, mangoes, grapes and watermelons all under the umbrella of PickFresh and IndoFresh.’ (19)

KARACHI: After three years, the government has finally succeeded in winning the support of the private sector to completely ban the use of wooden crates in fruit exports.

The government and the private sector are convinced that the decision will not only help improve the quality of packaging but also open up new markets in those countries that do not accept wooden crates.

At present, Pakistan exports most of its fruits and vegetables in corrugated cartons because almost every other country demands modern packaging. The only exceptions are United Arab Emirates and Oman, the two countries that are used as dumping ground of Pakistani mangoes. Due to this unhygienic packaging, the country gets the lowest possible prices in the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates is also a very important hub for re-exports and a huge quantity of Pakistani fruits goes to Lebanon, Iraq, Bahrain etc via Dubai. However, Pakistan had not been able to re-export much of its produce as many Middle Eastern countries have already banned fruit imports in wooden crates.


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‘United Arab Emirates and Oman authorities have been showing displeasure over the use of unhealthy wooden crates but Pakistani exporters or authorities never pay attention to this problem,’ a fruit exporter said. (20)

Dubai inflation edged down in March, as a strong US dollar and low global food prices cut families’ supermarket bills.

Overall, prices rose at an annual rate of just above 4 % in March, somewhat slower than February’s annual rate of just above 4.3 %.

Food and drink costs are down 1.9 % compared to March 2014. This represents a decline of 1.3 percentage points over the previous month’s annualised rate. Month-to-month food prices were almost flat. (21)

The logistics behind getting fresh food to the United Arab Emirates’s top restaurants and supermarkets is largely the domain of Fresh Express. For about 40 years the company has been sourcing all that is good to be found around the world.

It now operates using all Emirates routes, flying perishable produce on either SkyCargo or commercial planes from all corners of the world.

‘Logistics aren’t a big issue for us now, they used to be,’ says Mr Serhal. ‘Emirates wasn’t going everywhere, now they have direct flights everywhere. They are still a young airline so you can find the top technology for handling perishables. We have access to all sources around the world.’

The company flies in tons of fruit and vegetables each week. It also handles a variety of dairy, poultry, meat and seafood products, importing 5,000 items from more than 50 countries. (22)

Gulf states import an estimated 5 million tons of fresh fruit and vegetables annually, with a (statistical import) value of over US$3 billion. Among the Gulf states, the most important market is the United Arab Emirates, with a share of more than 40%, followed by Saudi Arabia with more than 30%, Qatar and Kuwait, both with just under 10%, and Oman and Bahrain.

Adjusted figures do show a clear increase in the imported volume, especially the import from Egypt, Jordan, Philippines, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain and New Zealand.

The top 3 suppliers comprises of India, Egypt and Jordan. South Africa comes in fourth place. The top 4 accounts for half of the total import value. Quantity-wise, the top 3 is the same, but in a different order.

The import of bananas has particularly grown in recent years. Now bananas are the most important import product in the Gulf states. The import of oranges, number 2, is more or less stable. That also goes for onions. Other important products are tomatoes, apples, mangoes, lemons, soft citrus, carrots, grapes and watermelons.

The Gulf states themselves also produced fruit and vegetables, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Based on FAO figures, in 2012, 4.1 million tons of the more than 5.6 million tons were harvested in Saudi Arabia. Dates are by far the most important product, with a production of over a million tons. The tomato production has been around a level of 500,000 tons for years now. Watermelons, cucumbers/gherkins and melons are the other important products. (23)

Recurring unseasonal rains and hailstorms have caused massive damage in the mango belt of Uttar Pradesh, with output estimated to fall 50 %.

The output is likely to fall to 15 mt this season.

With annual production of about four million tons (mt), Uttar Pradesh contributes a quarter of India’s mango output.

Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh together account for about half of the country’s mango production.

Exports, too, have been affected though India’s share of mango exports has been negligible, at 41,280 tons. In comparison Pakistan produces around a mt yet exports 40,000 tons.


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The United Arab Emirates is the main export destination for Indian mango, accounting for 61 % share, followed by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (12%), Saudi Arabia (5%), Qatar, Kuwait and Bangladesh. (24)

Mango, the king of Indian fruits, is acting very pricey this summer with even the lower end of the varieties selling at Rs. 100 a kg in the retail market while the premium variety Alphonso is costing Rs.500- Rs. 600 per dozen in Mumbai, courtesy unseasonal rains which resulted in production loss up to 50 % in some states.

Prices have shot up by 50-65 %, at a much higher pace than other fruits and vegetables, reveals a recent study by industry body Assocham.

According to a press release issued by Assocham, the trend of rising mango prices is already visible, the study projects retail price tag shooting up by 50 – 65 % this season, depending on the variety of the fruit, adds the study.

Considering the production volume and variety of Indian mangoes, country's exports at 41,280 tons is insignificant, whereas Pakistan, which produces around 1 million tons of mango, exports 40,000 tons (i.e. 4% of its production). Thus India's share in global market is minuscule.

The United Arab Emirates is the top most export destination for India's mangoes accounting for over 61 % share followed by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (12%) and Saudi Arabia (5%). Qatar, Kuwait and Bangladesh are other leading export destinations for Indian mangoes.

Qatar is leading with about 110% CAGR in mango imports from India followed by the United States (88%), Oman (84 %), Nepal (70%) and Kuwait (46%) amid top five destinations recording high growth in mangoes exported from India. (25)

This year, Indian mangoes are going to get expensive.

Since the mango season—April to June—began, prices of Indian mangoes have already gone up by 50-65% compared to last year, and are expected to remain costly throughout the year, according to the industry body, Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (Assocham).

Much of this is because India has experienced unseasonal rain in early 2015, which has damaged production of mangoes in key production states.

In April—when farmers usually start harvesting—the country saw heavy rains. While the losses are still being assessed, Assocham expects that the production of mangoes has dipped by 20%. (26)

ABU DHABI // Mango lovers will be hit at the checkouts after storms across India and Pakistan are expected to wipe out much of this year’s crops, traders warn.

The two countries supply the United Arab Emirates with 70% of its mangoes, but rain in February and last month will have a big effect on exports.

‘Last year we exported 1.75 million tons of mangoes to the United Arab Emirates. I don’t think we will be able to export even a million this year,’ said S Insram Ali, president of the Mango Growers Association of India.

He said that last year Pakistan exported 94,000 tons of mangoes globally, of which the United Arab Emirates imported 32 %.

Mr Ahmed said that this year there would be a 15% decline in the 1.8 million tons of annual production. (27)

The Prime Minister attended the United Arab Emirates-New Zealand Business Seminar held at Dubai Chamber 's head office, on the first day of an official visit to the GCC region, during which he will raise the importance of finalising FTA talks that concluded in 2009.

Mr Key called the United Arab Emirates a ‘priority market’ for New Zealand trade, with current trade dominated by energy and agriculture. (28)


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Dubai: Food consumption in the GCC, backed by encouraging macroeconomic drivers, is expected to grow at a 3.5 % CAGR between 2014 and 2019 to reach 51.9 million metric tons according to Alpen Capital GCC Food Industry report released on Tuesday.

Cereals are likely to remain the most consumed food category, accounting for 46.5 % of the region’s total food consumption in 2019. However, rising consumption of high-priced protein-rich and healthy foods is expected to gradually eat into the share of cereals in the total food consumption.

During the forecasted period, food consumption in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5 % and 4.8%, respectively, the fastest across the GCC.

Saudi Arabia is the largest food consuming nation in the GCC and is anticipated to remain so for the foreseeable future. Food consumption in Saudi Arabia is estimated to show an annual average growth of 3% from 2014. Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain also show similar growth patterns ranging from 2.7% to 3.2%.

The region’s per capita income is likely to increase at an annual average rate of 2.5% between 2014 and 2019. Rising income levels have led to strong preference for discretionary and high-priced food products such as organic, cut-vegetables, ready-to-cook, marinated meat, and flavored milk. This has, in turn, drawn international as well as local food retailers and manufacturers to establish and expand their presence in the region.

Increase in healthy and organic food consumption: Rising lifestyle-related ailments are gradually leading to increased health consciousness in the region, thereby driving the consumption of healthy, organic, and dietary foods. The organic food market in the Gulf region, estimated at US$300 million in 2009 , is anticipated to reach US$1.5 billion by 2018. (28A)

Businesses in the United Arab Emirates are ready with their order books to begin trade with Fiji, says Investment Fiji chairman, Truman Bradley.

However, he has stressed we do not yet have the required volumes or the requested capacities to meet the demand.

Mr Bradley said assistance is needed from this Middle East region to help grow our capabilities and capacities, in agri-business and other opportunities.

Mr Bradley’s statement follows a recent trip to Dubai to attend the Annual Investment Meeting 2015 where he also visited United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi.

‘Another export of great value in this market is food products but again it is meeting the demand in terms of volumes that Fiji currently does not have.

‘However, we can look at attracting investors, from United Arab Emirates, in the agriculture and food manufacturing. (29)

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates’s groundwater is being pumped out for irrigation at a rate of about 860 billion litres per year, and is dropping at a rate of 0.5 centimetres a year, according to new research from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi.

This is significant, considering that the United Arab Emirates relies on its groundwater reserves to provide over 50% of the country’s freshwater. Most of it goes toward the agricultural sector for irrigation.

Desalination provides around 37% of the United Arab Emirates’s water demand, which is used mostly for industrial and domestic consumption. The remaining portion, around 12%, is recycled water, which is used for landscaping irrigation

Stopping unsustainable and uneconomical irrigation practices in the agricultural sector is the immediate solution to the water scarcity in the United Arab Emirates, Sanchez told Gulf News on Wednesday.

Sanchez found that despite the United Arab Emirates’s slight rise in rainfall over the past 15 years, evapotranspiration has been taking water out of the ground at approximately the same rate that rainfall


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has been adding to it. This means that there is no real net gain to the United Arab Emirates’s groundwater reserves from rain presently.

Sanchez used remote sensing and satellite-based measurements to determine variables that would be difficult to obtain by other methods. For instance, she used data from Nasa’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to determine United Arab Emirates groundwater levels and the rate at which water is lost through evapotranspiration.

According to the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), the emirate’s aquifers are expected to run out in 50 years, if the current rate of water extraction continues.

At the current rate of consumption, the country is utilising underground water resources more than 20 times as fast as they can be recharged. And this situation is only likely to be exacerbated with projections indicating that Abu Dhabi’s population and economy are likely to triple in the next 15 years. (29A)

A new race for Africa, led by East Asia and the Gulf, is taking shape.

Developed and emerging market countries with sparse arable land have become acutely aware of their vulnerability to food security, all the more so in the face of climate change. Moreover, foreign corporations have discovered the potential profits that can be made from supply disruptions, and have been pursuing massive land contracts across the global South.

Ethiopia has leased 10,000 hectares to Saudi Arabia for rice and soybean production, all of which are destined for the Saudi market. Since 2008, the total hectarage that Ethiopia has leased to foreign entities is enough to match the entire landmass of France. (29B)


Wheat producers are being encouraged by the government to switch to growing higher value crops, such as fruit and vegetables, in greenhouses.

Support for domestic wheat production, which had been in place since the 1980s, was withdrawn over concerns that the industry, which is entirely dependent on irrigation, was depleting Saudi Arabia's water resources.

But many farmers have switched from wheat production to forage crops, such as alfalfa, which consume more water than wheat.

The total area planted with forage crops has risen from 151,000 hectares to nearly 200,000 hectares between 2007 and 2014. The Saudi government is considering measures to discourage domestic green forage production. (30)

Saudi Arabia imposed a temporary ban on import of green pepper from India due to the presence of pesticides residue.

The European Union (EU) had prohibited import from India of Indian mangoes and four other vegetables viz. Tarro Plant (Arbi- except root and seed), brinjal, snake gourd and bitter gourd, effective from 01st May, 2014 on account of interceptions of export consignments not compliant with EU Phytosanitary regulations.

India's exports of fresh fruits & vegetables during 2014-15 (Apr. - Jan.) have fallen by 14.02% in US$ terms as compared to exports during the corresponding period of 2013-14.

In order to resume export of green pepper to Saudi Arabia, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has put in place the following system for meeting their required standards:

i) APEDA has approved 31 laboratories for testing of residue in food products.


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ii) Test report generated by the laboratories will be a pre-requisite for the issue of phytosanitary certificate.

iii) APEDA recognized pack houses, which have systems in place to verify the traceability of the product, would be used for packing and exporting of green chillies.

iv) APEDA has identified vegetable cluster including that of green chillies, wherein GAP certified farmers are being identified for sourcing material for export.

APEDA in association with State Governments has been organising awareness/sensitisation programme for exporter and other stake-holders to improve the production of export quality fruits and vegetable. (31)

MAKKAH – Al-Otaibiyyah Municipality in Makkah confiscated a number of roadside carts used to illegally sell fruit and vegetables. The municipality razed all unplanned roadside stalls for selling fruit and vegetables and other foodstuffs.

Twenty-five carts and over 500 kg of fruit and vegetables unfit for human consumption were confiscated. All of the stalls were run by illegal expatriates, said Hassan Said Khankar, head of Al-Otaibiyyah Municipality. (32)

Jeddah municipality has formed a committee consisting of specialized teams to follow up and monitor for violations and irregularities in the city’s vegetable market.

The committee was originally formed by Jeddah governorate to study Saudization job compliance, for the possibility of nationalising jobs in the vegetable and fruit market in the city.

Mutasim Abu Zinada, president of brokers at the central vegetable market in Jeddah, said that the irregularities and violations in the market involve foreigner workers.

Abu Zinada confirmed that stall owners and wholesale vendors must possess licenses and are under the direct supervision of the municipality. The Ministry of Labor confirmed earlier that one of the main obstacles facing the Saudization committee in the Jeddah vegetable market is the almost total domination of foreign laborers on sales and purchasing operations, amassing 75% of all such transactions.

Saudi regulations require employing at least one Saudi in each shop. (33)

Saudi inflation last month dropped to its lowest level in nine years, driven by the strengthening riyal and a global dip in food prices, according to data from the kingdom’s Central Department of Statistics.

Annual inflation fell to 2.1 % – its lowest level since 2006. Food inflation stood at 1.7 % year-on-year in February. That represents a drop of 0.4 percentage points against the previous month’s figure. The price of food comprises more than 20 % of consumer expenditure, for the purposes of the inflation index.

The rising dollar has pushed up the purchasing power of the Saudi riyal to which it is pegged, as strong United States growth figures and the expectation of future interest rate rises drives the dollar higher against international currencies. (34)

LuLu Hypermarket is opening its branch at King Faisal Street in Jubail Sunday. This is the 5th LuLu in Saudi Arabia and 114th for the LuLu Group.

Spread over an area of 420,000 square feet, LuLu Hypermarket, Jubail will cater to the growing consumer demand from fresh vegetables and fruits to hot food, bakery, and grocery as well as high fashion garments and electronics and home appliances. (35)

According to latest studies, Saudi Arabia is in the forefront of food consumption in the region, accounting for 60% of the total consumption. The entire Gulf region has the highest annual consumption rate with 3.1% of the total food, achieving the dubious title of being one of the world’s most wasteful areas when it comes to food. Experts have scratched their heads to find ways to utilize the surplus food left by Saudis, which usually ends up in the garbage can. One suggestion is that the charity organizations can collect leftover food to distribute to the poor. (36)


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The freak weather in March has damaged the crop at the flowering stage and is likely to impact mango output by at least 20% in Uttar Pradesh. As a result, several popular mango varieties from UP, which caters to the fruit markets of Delhi and are sought after in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, are likely to cost more.

Trade experts are cautious. ‘Crop damage is there, but it’s difficult to assess the overall impact on production at this stage,’ said Insram Ali, president of the Mango Growers’ Association of India. Ali claims mangoes from UP

Mango farming is one of the most profitable cash crop businesses in at least a dozen districts of Uttar Pradesh, area-wise the largest mango-growing region in the country. But the mango crop in Malihabad has been hit hard by erratic weather. High temperature is a must for the flowers to sustain,’ said a grower.

‘As a result, the cost of the Dussheri mango will go up by Rs 10-20 per kg,’ said Khan. Last year, good quality Dussheri sold for Rs 40 per kg, while the Safeda and Chausa were pegged at Rs 30-35 per kg.

The most severe damage of 25%-30% has been felt in Bangarmau, some areas of Malihabad and Saharanpur district.

Vagaries of nature have hit hard the mango growers of Uttar Pradesh where almost 30% of the crop has been damaged by bouts of unseasonal rains, gusty winds and hailstorms, raising fears of poor availability and high cost of the king of fruits.

Almost 30% flowering of mango has been destroyed because of untimely rains, hailstorm and thundershowers in different parts of the state, President of All-India Mango Growers’ Association Insram Ali told PTI.

The mango growers of Saharanpur have estimated that the losses amount to about 70%,’ Ali said.

Insram Ali, a big orchard owner, said though mango – especially Dussheri variety – has found favour with the connoisseurs in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, its export has not been up to the mark.

‘Last year the export of mango had been only 8 to 9 tons… There is no subsidy in airfreight… We have demanded 80 % subsidy for us to sustain,’ he said, adding that there is also a need for aggressive brand promotion.

JEDDAH — MOHAMED Abdullah Sharbatly Co. Ltd., a major supplier of fruits and vegetables in Saudi Arabia, has launched the latest cold storage warehouses for food in Madinah City.

The modern cold storage warehouses that cost more than SR50 million will significantly contribute in the stability of grocery prices and also will provide jobs opportunities for young Saudis.

A company spokesperson said it has launched the latest projects in Madinah to face the heat wave that will hit the Kingdom that contributes to the increase of prices of vegetables and fruits. In the future, two more projects will be completed in Tabuk and Al-Ahsa, he added.

The Jeddah-based company founded in 1933 has 12 branches in the whole Kingdom and three branches in Dubai, Bahrain, Egypt. All are continuously operational providing all kinds of fruits throughout the year.

The company imports all kinds of fruits globally to provide seasonal fruit all year around and has its own farms in South America, South Africa as well as farms and filling and export stations of oranges in Egypt.

As part of the company’s expansion, it created Arab Transport Company Limited with a huge fleet of refrigerator trucks, distribution cars in order to transport fresh fruit and quality products inside and outside the Kingdom.

Kuwait, which this week joined the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Qatar in signing a joint statement with Saudi Arabia announcing military action to stop the advance of Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen, relies on imports for the majority of its food needs and depends on the narrow shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz for imported food supplies.


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Kuwait said on Friday that its strategic food stocks were at their highest level, in a message designed to reassure citizens after it joined a Saudi-led military operation in Yemen.

Iran has threatened in the past to block the Strait if it came under attack.

Because of their reliance on one supply route to feed their booming populations, most Gulf states keep ample food reserves. (40)

Egypt and Saudi Arabia agreed on increasing the Saudi investments in Egypt so as to remove the obstacles in front of activating the Arab investments especially in the field of agriculture.

These remarks came during discussion session held in Cairo between the Egyptian Agriculture Minister Salah Helal and his Saudi counterpart Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen al Fadhli and his accompanying delegation. (41)

Operation Decisive Storm is not raising the prices or delaying the import of food into the Kingdom, traders said here recently.

They reportedly said that imports are flowing normally through the Strait of Bab El-Mandeb, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

They dismissed predictions that commodity prices may rise in the coming weeks due to conflict in the region.

Yousef Al-Qafari, chief executive officer of Othaim Markets, said: ‘The Kingdom’s import and export of food products are not impacted by the current events in the region, including Decisive Storm.’ Al-Qafari said prices would remain stable because there is enough stock available. There was likely to be a gradual decline in prices because of falling oil prices, he said.

Shibl Al-Naimi, duty manager at Al-Tamimi Markets, said the war is unlikely to have an impact on the food market in the short and medium term. However, there could be an impact if it continues for a long period. (42)

Saudi Arabia’s programme to limit the proportion of expat workers in the kingdom has been postponed following criticism from businesses

Saudi Arabia has postponed implementing new legislation forcing private companies to increase the proportion of Saudi employees at their firms, according to a report from Arab News.

The programme had come under fire from a large section of the business community. A daily loss of around SR4m (€984,000) was reported by fruit and vegetable traders at Jeddah’s main market after legal limits were placed on purchases by expatriates.

The market’s Saudisation has resulted in a marked decline in the number of expat buyers coming from across the kingdom to stock up on fruit and vegetables destined for hospitals, schools and hotels outside Jeddah.

The banning of expatriate traders has equally led to the emergence of a black market for fresh produce in Jeddah, further condemning Saudi traders to lost earnings. (43)

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia shipping lines are forced to suspend port calls to Yemen as the conflict gets worse, putting pressure on supplies of food to the region as prices rise in local markets.

Saudi Arabia and Arab allies have launched air strikes against the Iran-allied Houthi movement, which has taken most of the country and forced President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee to Riyadh.

The coalition has deployed naval vessels to intercept ships carrying arms to the rebels, although merchant ships are meant to have free passage.

Most ports appear to be under Houthi control or are disputed by combatants. Many shipping companies are now unwilling to risk their vessels, industry sources say. (44)

It isn’t easy to grow food in the desert. That’s why the kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided to stop pumping water and money into its domestic food supply, and instead look abroad for sources of vegetables, red meat and grains.


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Saudi Arabia’s move away from grain and other crop production has come with a new focus on domestic poultry farming aimed at feeding growing tastes for meat. (45)

Khartoum – The National Authority for Investment revealed presentation of six projects in the field of food security for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in various states of Sudan.

Following his meeting with a Saudi delegation Sunday, Ismail said the projects that have been put forward in the field of agriculture, including Setait and Atbara dams, together with a number of agricultural projects in Gedarif State and other states. (46)

The sudden closure of Jor¬dan’s borders with Syria and Iraq and reinforced Israeli security measures at border crossings have hampered the flow of Jordanian produce, leading to a drop of 42% in the country’s fruit and vegetable exports.

The recent developments threat¬en significant losses for the vital sector, forcing cash-strapped Jor¬dan to hastily look for alternative markets in neighbouring Gulf Arab states.

JEPA figures showed that Jor¬dan’s annual production of fruit and vegetables stood at 2.5 million tons before the so-called ‘Arab spring’, which erupted in 2011 and toppled four Arab leaders in its first two years. It later plunged some parts of the region into violence and chaos. About 1.2 million tons of produce were exported, with the remainder allocated for local markets, according to JEPA figures. Traditionally, the largest Middle East markets for Jordanian produce include Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and Syria. Additional merchandise was destined for Turkey and some went onwards to Europe by sea or air.

Jordanian exports include phosphate, potash, pharmaceuticals, garment, foodstuffs, fruit and veg-etables, mainly eggplant, toma¬toes, potatoes, cucumbers, melons and citrus products such as lemons and oranges.

Jweihan, JEPA’s chief, said following the 2011 unrest in the region, Jordan’s exports of fruit and vegetables fell from 2.5 million tons to almost 700,000 tons per year.

Saudi Arabia, Jordan’s eastern neighbour and traditional bank-roller, has stepped in to help its long-time Jordanian ally offset its losses. Riyadh reversed a more than two-decade-old ban on importing agricultural goods from Jordan on charges that Jordanian produce failed to meet Saudi standards and specifications.

Now, Saudi Arabia imports more Jordanian fruit and vegetables than any other country, representing one-quarter of Jordanian exports of produce since 2014, Agriculture Ministry spokesman Nimer Haddadin told The Arab Weekly. (47)

JEDDAH — Consul General of South Africa Shoayb Casoo, who was posted in January, expressed happiness at being in Saudi Arabia and aims to build on bilateral relations between the two countries, he told Saudi Gazette

He said South African exports to the Kingdom have grown and bilateral trade is valued at more than US$85 billion.

South Africa imports 50% of its oil from Saudi Arabia. In the past few years export of fruits and vegetables has doubled. (48)

Hundreds of Yemenis have been killed since Houthi rebels overthrew President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi at the beginning of April. The instability next door has led Saudi Arabia to intervene with a bombing campaign and, most recently, impose a blockade of Yemen’s port cities to cut off what they claim is Iranian resupply of rebels. Besides blocking weapons though, the blockade is also having a major impact on food security and food assistance, and is even affecting livelihoods in Somalia.

The rapid escalation of fighting has increased domestic food prices and disrupted food markets. (49)

The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co. has been the silent investor in G3 Global Grain

Group, which has bought 50.1% of CWB.


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The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co. (SALIC) owns SALIC Canada, which is a minority owner of G3. Bunge is the majority owner. The actual percentage split of the partners has not

been made public.

SALIC was created to spearhead Saudi Arabia’s agricultural investments abroad.

Two developments have spurred Saudi Arabia to boost foreign agricultural investments.

It decided in 2008 to end its 30-year program to reach self-sufficiency in wheat and other crops because the required irrigation development was rapidly depleting the kingdom’s underground water.

Wheat production is to end next year.

However, as it turned increasingly to imported crops and meat, the international market was going

through a period of shortages and wildly fluctuating prices.

The King Abdullah Initiative for Agricultural Investment Abroad was created with the broad goal of investing Saudi money to increase global food production and ensuring that some or all of the food,

depending on the project, will go to Saudi Arabia. (50)

Qatar 2.3.

DOHA: The prices of fresh vegetables, fruits and fish at the government-monitored central markets were stable last week (March 12 to 19).

Figures released by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce suggest that the only vegetable that became slightly dearer in the week was cucumber.

Cucumber is produced in large quantities locally, particularly in this season, and it was on average available in retail at the central market for QR3.5 a kilo in the above week. The price of Jordanian tomatoes averaged QR3 a kilo while Jordanian capsicum cost QR6 a kilo, according to figures cited by the Ministry’s consumer rights’ watchdog.

Fruit prices were also stable during the week, averaging at QR3.17 per kilo. The popular American apple, for example, was available in retail for QR6.5 a kilo, orange for QR3 a kilo and banana from the Philippines for QR6 a kilo. The Philippines is the largest exporter of bananas to Qatar. (59)

DOHA: The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory at the Abu Samra border post for testing pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables.

The SCH said that the lab could assess and calculate pesticide residues in imported fruits and vegetables through analysing samples to get accurate and quick results according to GCC specifications. The facility comes as part of a five-year national strategy to set up internationally accredited laboratories in different ports of entry to test imported food products.

The plan is to make the Central Food Laboratory to a referral lab, with establishment of the new labs in different ports of entry. (60)

The ambitious Sahara Forest Project is developing cutting-edge food, water and energy technologies in the deserts of Qatar and Jordan in an attempt turn sand dunes into farms. The plan: to combine solar thermal technologies with saltwater evaporation techniques, freshwater condensation, and efficient production of food and biomass without displacing existing agriculture or natural vegetation.

In 2011, the Sahara Forest Project signed agreements with influential chemical companies and agribusinesses in Qatar to kick off a pilot program there in 2012.

The facility is designed around a saltwater-cooled concentrated solar power plant, as well as photovoltaic solar panels. The heat from the solar plant's mirrors powers an evaporative desalination system for the production of distilled water that is used to irrigate plants both in nearby greenhouses and in nearby outdoor plantings. Waste heat warms the greenhouses in the winter and regenerates the desiccant used for dehumidifying the air.


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The greenhouses provide suitable growing conditions for year-round cultivation of high-value crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants at yields competitive with commercial European operations. (61)

DOHA: Qatar’s population surged to an all-time high to over 2.33 million (2,334,029) in February. The increase was by more than 109,000 over January.

The record rise was witnessed after two months of consecutive drop in the figure, which had led some analysts to believe that the population might not grow at as a rapid a pace as earlier due to stalling or shelving of some projects on account of falling world oil prices. (62)

Qatar imports some 92% of its food needs. Domestic production of agriculture comprises mainly vegetables and no grains, and production levels cannot be raised due to depleting ground water reserves, arid soil and harsh weather.

The Qatar National Food Security Programme was launched in 2008 to develop a national master plan for increasing the nation’s food security. Completed and presented to the Government in 2013, the Qatar National Food Security Plan focuses on teaming up with the private sector to boost national capacity for strategic trade and investment, increasing sustainable local production of targeted food items and improving the overall efficiency and operation of the nation’s food system. Implementation of the National Plan is led by a cross-governmental committee under the direction of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. The plan to improve food security begins in 2013 and extends to 2030.

Jonathan E. Smith, senior adviser at QNFSP, identifies water as the most urgent challenge hindering the expansion of agricultural production in the region.

According to Smith, producing more food does not lead to food security in Qatar’s case, but ‘increasing the sustainable production of certain fresh food items such as vegetables and poultry that are either in limited supply regionally or lose quality during transport can go a long way to improving the affordability, availability, nutrition and safety of food in the market.’

The Chamber’s agricultural committee said that Qatar has quite a big poultry company but it was barely able to meet a tenth of local demand since it lacks modern production technology. ‘So the remaining 90% of local demand in Qatar is met through imports,’ said the committee.

So is true of fresh vegetables many of which are imported, and whose shortages particularly during summer months, lead to sudden price hikes. In winter, local produce comes to the market in abundance so there are no short supplies and that leads to price reductions as well. The Chamber has long been talking of another Agricultural City that would accommodate agro-based industries. These plans, according to businessmen, have yet to materialize, though.

There is a severe lack of basic infrastructure like land, water and electricity for agricultural activities to thrive, Al Khalaf said in comments published by a local daily in January. He said his family had some 20,000 square metres of land under cultivation and had supplied fresh vegetables to the local market in the past two summer seasons. Plans were afoot to expand the business and the land under cultivation to 100,000 square meters, with facilities to produce vegetables year round. (63)

Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) co-organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA ) and Qatar Airways (QA), has announced the names of its partners and sponsors for at the event at Museum of Islamic Art Park from 24 to 28 March 2015.

The sixth edition of the festival features a number of general zones, which include many food stalls as well as several kiosks of restaurants and exhibitors accompanied by a wide range of entertainment activities and offerings brought to the festival by its sponsors and partners.

For this year, QIFF announced upgraded sponsor activations, which include the stage zone, the snack zone, the international zone, the live cooking zone, and the Instagram zone.

In addition, the health and active zone combines healthy food outlets, education and information on nutrition and a well-balanced diet, as well as fun activities and live entertainment. (64)

DOHA: Members of some African communities are urging the government to allow the import of at least some of their popular food items not available in the local market.


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A senior official at a leading shopping outlet, said: ‘There is high demand for African food items such as Yam, red palm oil, Cassava and others.

And, there is no ban on the import of fruits and vegetables from these countries, but we have been asked by authorities not to import any packaged food items from some African countries, which include Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda.’

However, the official, responsible for importing food products for one retail giant, said: ‘We have not been given any written instructions by authorities. But they insist not to source any food products from these countries — which are packed and carry expiry dates.’ (65)

Imported fruits like avocado, kiwi, blueberries are rich in nutrients but they are available only in big cities, that too in niche supermarkets at exorbitant price.

Apples are imported from China, Australia, America and Italy. Oranges come from Egypt and dragon fruits from Thailand.

These fruits are mostly imported during off-season, packed and stored to increase their shelf life.

Mr Mohammed Qatar, a fruit importer said, ‘There is a growing demand for Washington Apples, New Zealand kiwis and China pears. Imported fruits account for nearly one-third of fruit sales.’ Imported fruits like avocados are rich in good fat, which benefits the heart. However, i

Imported fruits appear attractive but they contain fewer nutrients say some experts. Besides, the imported varieties appear to be brighter and fresher than the locally available fruits, but this is due to preservation.

Seasonal fruits grown locally are cheaper and also abundant in nutrients, claim experts.

Locally grown fruits have to be sold within a timeframe and due to this reason they are available during the season at a cheaper price. A fruit vendor said, ‘The fruit market has become very competitive. With increasing awareness and health consciousness, there is a demand for different varieties of fruits in both retail and local markets.’

Seasonal fruits are often brought by dealers in local markets of villages and then sold to wholesalers who auction them at a higher price in the fruit market.

Another vendor, Mr Vishal Suri, said, ‘If the dealer has brought the fruits at a higher price then they dictate the terms in the market. Apart from this the demand and supply chain also plays a major role in determining the price. Organic stores claim to get them directly from the farms, which is another competition in the market. In comparison to organic and imported fruits, seasonal fruits are cheaper.’ Nutritionist Dr D. Raghunathk said, ‘There is an emphasis on growing fruits consumed within the area as it suits the body type and also the total benefits of the nutritional values are available.’ (66)

DOHA: The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) yesterday launched guidelines for healthy eating, in a bid to reduce the risk factors of non-communicable diseases which cause a considerable percentage of deaths in the country.

‘The Qatar Dietary Guidelines’ offers insights and guidance for healthy eating. It includes eight recommendations that discuss different tips for achieving an overall healthy lifestyle. (67)

Manama-- Shaikh Khalifa said the Government Action Plan (GAP2015-2018) aims to begin implementation of prompt development mechanisms in the agricultural, animal and fisheries sector.

The land granted by the government of Republic of the Sudan to the Kingdom has been included in the national growth plan as one of the largest projects aimed to achieve food security for the Kingdom in the near future, he added.

The ministry has allocated the budget for the feasibility study in coordination with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), in order to begin investment of the 42,000 hectares fertile land, he added.

He invited investors to participate in investing Bahrain's land (aka Khairat Al Bahrain) in the Sudan to produce strategic products including animal fodder, cereals, as well as white and red meats. The products will be exempt from taxation in both countries.


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Shaikh Khalifa told Bahrain News Agency that the Ministry of Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning supports the development and training of farmers on modern farming techniques and development of the fisheries in the Kingdom. (68)

Morocco has positioned itself as the third largest exporter of agricultural products in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, and the fourth in Africa.

The Moroccan agricultural sector recorded a 7.6% annual growth between 2008 and 2014, while its agro-food exports grew by 34% in the same period, said Minister of Agriculture, Aziz Ajanuch at the Conference on Agriculture prior to the great Moroccan Agricultural Show (SIAM). The Qatari minister of Agriculture and Environment was among those involved in the event.

According to the Minister, these figures are the result of the Plan ‘Green Morocco’, an ambitious agricultural modernisation project launched in 2008, which has allowed the agricultural GDP to grow by an average of 48% in rural environments between 2008 and 2013.

The Green Morocco Plan has contributed to strengthening exports, especially of argan oil, beans, olive oil, olives, tomatoes and clementines.

The Minister said domestic agriculture is becoming less reliable on climatic changes thanks to the 37% increase in plantations and a better optimisation of the agricultural value added.

Additionally, the planting of 13 million fruit trees is planned under this project. (69)

Oman 2.4.

Muscat: Trade between Brazil and Oman has seen considerable growth over the past few years, but the largest economy in Latin America says there are still many areas where the two countries can 'strengthen' and 'diversify' their commercial partnership.

‘Bilateral trade in 2014 reached US$1.1 billion. However, if triangular trade (Brazil-United Arab Emirates-Oman) is considered, the amount will be higher,’ Rafael Magno Maciel Costa e Brito, vice consul and commercial attaché at the Embassy of Brazil, said in an exclusive interview with the Times of Oman.

Brazil has an interest in exporting more agribusiness products such as orange juice, coffee and soybeans, he said, adding that Brazilian halal meat products, soft drinks, fresh fruit and other food products, minerals and handmade crafts could also find a market in Oman. (51)

Addis Ababa: A delegation of Oman-based companies, which gained a better understanding of the Ethiopian market during a recent visit to Addis Ababa, says that there is great untapped potential in the 'Horn of Africa' nation.

Twenty companies operating in various industries used the opportunity provided by the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa) to interact with a number of Ethiopian firms, and discussed partnership opportunities According to Ithraa, Oman's imports from Ethiopia in 2014 stood at US$2 million, while Oman exported US$37.2 million worth of goods to the African country.

The top imported products from Oman were semi-products of iron or non-alloy steel, uncooked pasta, wheat or meslin flour, polypropylene in primary form, fittings for tubes, pipes and hoses and sugar confectionary.

Meanwhile, fresh, chilled or frozen goat meat, roses and other flowers, fresh strawberries, frozen edible offal of sheep, goats and horses and vegetables topped the list of imported products from Ethiopia.

According to Ethiopian officials, there is vast potential and abundant investment opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, mining, tourism, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure development in the African country. (52)


21

Muscat: Inflation rate in Oman increased by 0.68% in March compared to the rate recorded during the same period last year, while it logged a 0.11% decrease compared to the rate recorded in February, 2015, the statistics of National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) show.

The prices of milk, cheese and eggs increased with 0.64%. Also, the prices of oil and fats increased with 0.25% while the prices of fruits increased with 0.27%. The non-alcoholic beverages increased with 0.17%.

The fishes and seafood set led the decrease in the foodstuffs and non-alcoholic beverages set as it recorded a 6.82% decrease. The vegetable set also recorded a 0.43% decrease. (53)

Muscat: Food experts will discuss various aspects of food safety at The Food Safety Conference 2015 will open on Tuesday at Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

The conference will discuss six themes, namely halal food, the risk levels of pesticide residues in food products, food industries and organic, inorganic, and biological contaminants, pathogens transmitted through food, mycotoxins and antibiotics in food, and supervision and control of food safety.

The conference aims to increase awareness on the importance of the role of producers of raw materials (farmers and fishermen) and the first stages of the production of the food chain, as well as the emphasis on their effective role in the control of the safety and quality of food products down to the consumer. (54)

The Shura Council on Sunday discussed a statement by HE Dr Fuad Bin Jaafar Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, dealing with food security and plans to develop fisheries sector 2013-20.

He said that the ministry is trying to develop the agriculture and fisheries sectors by introducing modern technologies. The two sectors have made many achievements over the past five years resulting in the growth of added value by 8.4 % in 2014 compared to 2013. The indicators point out that the good growth levels will be maintained over the

‘In 2013, the ministry started formulating a comprehensive strategy to develop the animal and plant divisions of the agriculture sectors 2010-40. The strategy developed in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) aims to ensure optimum use of resources, develop agricultural and food system, enhance food security, generate job opportunities, increase income and enhance competiveness of the Omani products,’ he added.

‘The total plant production stood at 1,515,000 tons in 2014 compared to 1,484,000 tons in 2013. The 2 % growth was due to increased production of vegetables from 313,000 tones in 2013 to 335,000 tons in 2014, a growth of 7 % per annum due to introducing modern systems and technologies,’ he added.

They stressed the need for fair distribution of investment projects and food stores among the Sultanate’s governorates. (55)

Muscat: Oman's honey bees and the threats they face will be in focus at the next popular Science Café series meeting of the Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC)on Wednesday from 7:30 p.m–9:00 p.m at the Sohar Entertainment Centre.

According to research of the 40,000 bee species worldwide only 25,000 have been catalogued. Their primary purpose is to collect pollen as a source of protein and energy for their young ones. But as part of the pollen-collecting duties, bees also pollinate 80 % of the food crops we rely on for sustenance. Losing them could potentially devastate fruit and vegetable production, as well as livestock and dairy industries.

Research points to a complex triangle of causes such as pesticides, a flowerless rural landscape dominated by cash crops, and the spread of parasites and diseases. Together they inflict enormous damage on bees that pollinate everything from strawberries grapes, onions and cucumbers to watermelons. (56)

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A new direct shipping line linking Iran's southern port of Shahid Rajaee and the Omani port city of Sohar will be established next month to facilitate the transport of agricultural products and perishable goods between the two countries.


22

The new shipping route will be opened on May 15 under a trilateral agreement among the chambers of commerce of Iran and Oman and an Iranian private sector company engaged in sea transportation business.

According to Abdolhossein Khederi, CEO of the Iranian firm, three vessels, including two container ships and a bulk carrier, will start crisscrossing between the two ports every 15 days in the initial phase.

If exporters welcome the new service, more capacious freighters will be employed even on a weekly basis, he added.

The ships employed in the line will be equipped with refrigerated containers, since the route will be used to transport agricultural products and perishable foods, Khederi explained. (57)

Muscat: Oman will participate in the Expo Milan 2015, which is to be held from May 1 to October 30, with a 2,790-metre national pavilion titled ‘Heritage in the Harvest — Harness of the Sun, Sand and Sea.’

The exhibition, hosted by the Italian city of Milan under the theme ‘Feeding the Planet — Energy for Life’, will see the participation of 148 countries and specialist regional and international organisations. (58)

Bahrain 2.5.

A contract to build a new BD6 million central market in Muharraq could be deemed null and void after Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Essam Khalaf referred it to the Legalisation and Legal Opinion Commission.

The decision was taken after Muharraq Municipal Council raised suspicions that there were several constitutional, legal, financial and technical flaws in the contract, which was initially signed between Muharraq Municipality director-general Saleh Al Fadhala and the Muharraq Central Market Company, a subsidiary of Tashgeel for Commercial Buildings Management.

Plans for the new market included a shopping complex, hypermarket and separate sections for meat, fish, fruits and vegetables,

Meat, fish, fruits and vegetable vendors have been moved to a temporary steel-structured market at the nearby Hassan Bin Thabet Public Park. (70)

Organised by Sud de France Développement and the Languedoc-Roussillon Regional Council, MedFEL 2015 on 21 - 23 April 2015 at the Parc des Expositions in Perpignan shines the spotlight on apples.

Apples are the world's third most popular fruit and therefore champions of export!

Since apples are easier to export than other fresh fruit and vegetables, this year's MedFEL is opening itself up to new markets buyers will include those from Middle Eastern countries: Tunisia, Bahrain and Dubai. For these Gulf countries, the Géant Casino and Carrefour hypermarket chains are the market players that Medfel producers feel most comfortable negotiating with. (71)

Bahrain was ranked 18th in the 2015 Islamic Growth Markets Investment Index which ranks countries' investment potential relatively within the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) member states.

The key findings of Islamic Growth Markets Investment Report 2015 were presented during the Global Islamic Investment Gateway conference in Bahrain.

The index is based on a set of nine metrics covering the categories of a country's growth fundamentals, growth momentum, investment momentum and relative country risk.

GCC economies on the top ten list, led by United Arab Emirates, include Qatar and Saudi Arabia.


23

The report presents a new view of investment opportunities across the OIC member countries and identifies growth, operation-value-creation and alliance opportunities across a sector's value chain.

The top OIC sector clusters identified include food and agriculture and the opportunities cover greenfield project investments as well in fast maturing domestic companies across these sectors. (72)

MORE than 65 exhibitors from hotels to restaurants, kitchenware suppliers to embassies are taking part in the seventh annual Food and Hospitality Bahrain Expo 2015, which opened yesterday at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event, which provides a platform to showcase food and hospitality services and products, is being held under the patronage of Industry and Commerce Minister and Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA) chairman Zayed Al Zayani. It will continue until tomorrow from 10am to 7pm and is running alongside the Health and Wellness Expo

An annual award for Bahraini products aims to encourage manufacturers to enter food sector and direct them to export to neighbouring and global markets. (73)

KARACHI - Onion prices have risen to Rs50-60 per kg from Rs25-30 some two weeks ago, while potatoes are selling at record low prices to markets including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Traders say onion prices may remain under pressure during the next month as well. More onion would be coming from Balochistan next month, and by June and July full crop of the province will hit the markets.

However, the welcome fall in potato prices at the same time has somewhat eased the burden on consumers’ pocket.

The commodity is in oversupply position due to bumper crop in Punjab. A few days back, pushcart owners were offering 5kg potato for just Rs50.

It’s reported that a glut-like situation exists all over the world. Last year the wholesale price of potato was hovering around Rs50-60 per kg while the consumers paid Rs70-80 at retail stage despite the commodity’s import from various countries.

The commodity is in oversupply position due to bumper crop in Punjab. (74)

The Premier yesterday ordered tougher measures at entry points on imported fruit - especially watermelon instructing authorities to intensify inspection campaigns in markets and take samples for lab tests.

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa gave orders to stop the import of fruit which prove unfit for human consumption or contain harmful substances and directed food safety control authorities to exchange information with their counterparts in other GCC countries regarding this issue.

Meanwhile, Bahrain has been declared free of any imported Iranian watermelon. The agricultural quarantine directorate and the Health Ministry's food control department surveyed the local market and ensured agricultural products are free of any insect infestation, chemical pollutants or pathogens. (75)


24

3. Price Information


No. Item Origin Low Price (Dhs)

High Price (Dhs)

Variety Size Pack

1 Chillies (Dried) India 90 90 Red 10 Kg 1 Box

2 Chillies Long Green India 15 15 Green 5 Kg 1 Box

3 Chillies Green Oman 5 5 Green 1 Kg

4 Chillies Green Bangladesh 10 10 Green 1 Kg

5 Mango (Dried) Thailand 300 300

5 Kg 1 Box

6 Mango Alphosno India 40 40

12 Pcs 1 Box

7 Mango Badam India 30 30

12 Pcs 1 Box

8 Mango R2e2 Australia 39 39

1 Kg

9 Apple Green Usa 20 20 Green 20 Pcs Ctn

10 Apple Green South Africa 18 18 Green 20 Pcs Ctn

11 Apple Red South Africa 15 15 Red 20 Pcs Ctn

12 Apple Iran 10 10

22 Pcs 1 Box

13 Awla/Amla/Gooseberries India 40 40

3 Kg

14 Arvi (Not Available) China 40 40

12 Kg Ctn

15 Avocado Africa 25 25 Green 21 Pcs Box

16 Avocado Hass Usa 40 40 Green 1 Kg

17 Avocado Kanya 16 16

1 Kg

18 Banana Philippine 42 42

13 Kg 1 Box

19 Broccoli China 40 40 Green 5 Kg

20 Bitter Melon Oman 40 42 Green 7 Kg Ctn

21 Beans Egypt 15 15 Green 3 Kg 1 Box

22 Baby Marrow Uae 18 18 Green 5 Kg Ctn

23 Beet Root Iran 10 10 Red 4 Kg Ctn

24 Coconut India 26 26 22 Pcs Ctn

25 Capsicum Orange Oman 60 60

8 Kg

26 Cauliflower Jordan 35 35

6 Pcs Ctn

27 Cabbage Iran 20 20 Green 10 Kg Bag

28 Cucumber Iran 50 50 Green 18 Kg Ctn

29 Celery China 50 50

8 Kg 1 Box

30 Cantaloupe Oman 48 48

6 Pcs Ctn

31 Carrot China 20 20

10 Kg

32 Drumstick India 25 25 Green 5 Kg 1 Box


25


High Price (Dhs)

Variety Size Pack

33 Eggplant Oman 12 12 Black 8 Kg Ctn

34 Eggplant Jumbo Iran 15 15 Black 10 Kg Ctn

35 Fresh Leaves UAE 10 10

3 Kg 1 Beg

36 Ginger (Fresh) China 20 22

8 Kg

37 Guava Egypt 12 12 10 Pcs

38 Grapefruit China 40 45

6 Pcs 1 Box

39 Gawar India 27 27

5 Kg

40 Garlic China 20 20

8 Kg Ctn

41 Iceberg Lettuce Iran 18 18 Green 6 Pcs Ctn

42 Kiwi New Zealand

30 30

30 Pcs 1 Box

43 Kholrabi Oman 25 25

6 Kg

44 Lemon India 35 35

6 Kg Box

45 Lettuce Jordan 35 35 Green 8 Kg Ctn

46 Mushrooms China 35 40

4 Kg

47 Orange Egypt 20 20

42 Pcs Ctn

48 Onion India 22 22

10 Kg Ctn

49 Okra Oman 40 40

7 Kg Ctn

50 Pomegranate India 25 25 Red 12 Pcs Ctn

51 Pineapple Philippine 30 30

6 Pcs Ctn

52 Potato India 30 30

8 Kg Ctn

53 Pear China 35 35

30 Pcs 1 Box

54 Papaya India 40 40

6 Kg 1 Box

55 Potato Pakistan 12 12

4 Kg

56 Rambutan Vietnam 26 26

1 Box

57 Strawberry Australia 65 65

5 Kg

58 Sandra China 30 30

12 Pcs

59 Sweet Potatoes India 30 30

8 Kg

60 Suran India 25 25

1 Pcs Ctn

61 Tomato Oman 25 25

16 Kg Ctn

62 Tangerine Pakistan 30 30

36 Pcs 1 Tray

63 Taro China 30 30

8 Kg Ctn

64 Water Melon Iran 2.5 2.5

1 Kg

65 Zucchini Jordan 25 25

5 Kg Ctn

NO. Item Origin Low Price (Dhs)

High Price (Dhs)

Variety Size Pack

1 Chillies (Dried) India 90 90 Red 10 Kg 1 Box


26


High Price (Dhs)

Variety Size Pack

2 Chillies Long Green India 15 15 Green 5 Kg 1 Box

3 Chillies Green Oman 5 5 Green 1 Kg

4 Chillies Green Bangladesh 10 10 Green 1 Kg

5 Mango (Dried) Thailand 300 300

5 Kg 1 Box

6 Mango Alphosno India 40 40

12 Pcs 1 Box


12 Pcs 1 Box

8 Mango R2e2 Australia 39 39

1 Kg

9 Apple Green USA 20 20 Green 20 Pcs Ctn

10 Apple Green South Africa 18 18 Green 20 Pcs Ctn

11 Apple Red South Africa 15 15 Red 20 Pcs Ctn

12 Apple Iran 10 10

22 Pcs 1 Box

13 Awla/Amla/Gooseberries India 40 40

3 Kg

14 Arvi (Not Available) China 40 40

12 Kg Ctn

15 Avocado Africa 25 25 Green 21 Pcs Box

16 Avocado Hass USA 40 40 Green 1 Kg

17 Avocado Kenya 16 16

1 Kg


13 Kg 1 Box

19 Broccoli China 40 40 Green 5 Kg

20 Bitter Melon Oman 40 42 Green 7 Kg Ctn

21 Beans Egypt 15 15 Green 3 Kg 1 Box


27

Oman 3.2.

No. Item Origin Low price (riyal)

High price (riyal)

Variety Size Pack

Chillies (dried) Not available X X X X X

1 Chillies red Oman 0.8 0.8 Red 1 kg

2 Chillies Oman 7 7 Green 10 kg 1 box

3 Chillies India 4.5 4.5 Green 5 kg

Dried mango Not available X X X X X

4 Mango round Kenya 1.4 1.4 Green 1 kg

5 Mango alphosno India 1 1 Green 1 kg

6 Apple fuji fancy China 11.5 11.5 Fuji fancy 100 pcs

7 Apple Iran 1.2 1.2 Yellow 1 kg

8 Apple USA 2 2 Green 1 kg

9 Acorn squash Oman 0.4 0.4 Green 1 kg Ctn

10 Avocado Kenya 4 4 Green 10 pcs Ctn

11 Arvi China 3 3 5 kg Ctn


High price (riyal)

Variety Size Pack

12 Banana Philippine 4 5 12 kg 1 box

13 Bitter melon Oman 4.8 4.8 Green 8 kg Ctn

14 Beans Oman 0.5 0.5 Green 1 kg

15 Baby marrow Oman 0.4 0.4 Green 1 kg Ctn

16 Beet root Oman 1 1 Red 4 kg Ctn

17 Coconut India 4 4 20 pcs Ctn

18 Cauliflower Oman 1.5 1.5 8 kg Ctn

19 Carrot China 0.2 0.2 1 kg 1 bag

20 Cucumber KSA 3.5 3.5 Green 10 kg Ctn

21 Capsicum (peppers) India 1.2 1.2 1 kg

22 Eggplant Oman 3 3 Black 10 kg Ctn

23 Eggplant jumbo Oman 2.8 2.8 Black 10 kg Ctn

24 Grapefruit China 2 2 3 kg 1 box

25 Garlic China 6 6 10 kg Ctn

26 Guava Egypt 2 2 14 pcs 1 tray

27 Kiwi Iran 5 5 5 kg 1 box

28 Lemon India 1.2 1.2 1 kg Box

29 Orange Lebanon 3 3 40 pcs Ctn

30 Onion Pakistan 4 4 35 kg Ctn

31 Paprika Oman 0.8 0.8 1 kg

32 Pomegranate Egypt 3 3 Red 12 pcs Ctn


28


High price (riyal)

Variety Size Pack

33 Potato Pakistan 4 4 10 kg Ctn

34 Pear China 2.5 2.5 5 kg 1 box

35 Pumpkin Oman 2 2.2 Red 4 kg 1 box

36 Papaya Oman 0.6 0.8 1 pcs

37 Strawberry Egypt 1 1 12 pcs 1tray

38 Sweet potatoes India 2.6 2.6 8 kg

39 Snap pea Oman 3 3 5 kg

40 Turnip Oman 2 2 4 kg

41 Tangerine Pakistan 4 4 6 kg

42 Tomato Oman 2 2 8 kg Ctn

43 Taro India 0.8 0.8 1 kg Ctn

44 Water melon Sri Lanka 0.3 0.3 1 kg

Qatar 3.3.

No. Item Origin Low

Price (Qr) High

Price (Qr) Variety Size Pack

1 Chillies Long India 10 10 Red 1 Kg

2 Chillies Thailand 13 13 Green 1 Kg Ctn

3 Chillies Long USA 36 36 Green 1 Kg


4 Kg Ctn

6 Mango Alphonso India 17 17

1 Kg Ctn

7 Mango Yemen 6 6

1 Kg

8 Apple Fuji Fancy France 113 113 Gala 18 Kg Ctn

9 Apple USA 112 112 Green 18 Kg Ctn


5 Kg Ctn

11 Avocado Lebanon 30 30

1 Kg

12 Avocado USA 45 45

1 Kg


15 Kg

14 Beans India 10 10 Green 1 Kg

15 Broccoli Spain 24 25

1 Kg

16 Baby Marrow Jordan 40 40 Green 10 Kg

17 Beet Root India 35 35

7 Kg Ctn

18 Coconut India 40 40

35 Pcs

19 Celery Australia 22 22

1 Kg

20 Cauliflower Jordan 28 28

6 Kg Ctn

21 Cabbage KSA 14 14

12 Pcs Ctn


29

No. Item Origin Low

Price (Qr) High

Price (Qr) Variety Size Pack

22 Carrot China 23 23

10 Kg Ctn

23 Cucumber KSA 28 28

6 Kg Ctn

24 Cantaloupe Oman 85 85

10 Kg Ctn

25 Capsicum (Peppers) Jordan 10 10

8 Kg Ctn

26 Drumstick India 10 10 Green 1 Kg

27 Eggplant Jordan 25 27 Green 7 Kg Ctn

28 Grapefruit Turkey 32 32

6 Kg Ctn

29 Green Bean KSA 55 55 Green 5 Kg

30 Guava Egypt 13 13

2 Kg

31 Kiwi Iran 33 33

28 Pcs Ctn

32 Lettuce Jordan 40 40

9 Kg Ctn

33 Lemon Turkey 40 40

9 Kg


15 Kg

35 Onion India 62 62

30 Kg Ctn

36 Okra India 10 10

1 Kg

37 Pomegranate India 45 45

3 Kg

38 Potato Egypt 14 14

6 Kg Ctn

39 Pineapple Philippine 9 9

1 Kg

40 Pear USA 10 10

1 Kg Ctn

41 Paprika Doha 15 15

10 Kg

42 Pumpkin KSA 3 3

1 Kg

43 Strawberry Jordan 60 60 Red 10 Box

44 Snap Pea KSA 20 20

5 Kg

45 Tangerine Pakistan 43 43

8 Kg Ctn

46 Tomato Jordan 24 24

7 Kg Ctn

47 Tomato Doha 12 12

7 Kg Ctn

48 Taro China 35 35

7 Kg Ctn

49 Water Melon Iran 3 3

1 Kg

1 Chillies Long India 10 10 Red 1 Kg

2 Chillies Thailand 13 13 Green 1 Kg Ctn

3 Chillies Long USA 36 36 Green 1 Kg


30


No. Item Origin Low Price (Sr)

High Price (Sr)

Variety Size Pack

1 Short Red Chillies KSA 45 45 Red 10 Kg Ctn

2 Long Green Chillies KSA 35 40 Green 10kg Ctn

4 Long Green Chillies KSA 5 5 Green 1 Kg Bag

6 Mango India 65 65 Big 14 Pieces Box

Mango India 40 40 Medium 12 Pieces Box

1 Mango (Frozen) Egypt 10 10

1kg Pack

1 Apple Green France 95 100 Green 18 Kg Ctn

2 Apple Red Chile 105 110 Red 17 Kg Ctn

3 Apple Fuji Italy 95 100 Red 17 Kg Ctn


20 Pcs Box

6 Banana Yemen 10 10

2 Kg Bag

7 Banana Ecuador 55 60

14 Kg Box

9 Beans KSA 40 45 Green 10 Kg Box

10 Beet Root KSA 8 10

10 Kg Bag

11 Carrot KSA 14 18

12 Kg Bag

13 Carrot KSA 5 5

2-3 Kg Bag

3 Cauliflower KSA 30 35

14 Pieces Ctn

16 Cauliflower KSA 25 25 Small 16 Piece Ctn

17 Cabbage KSA 8 10 Red 6 Pcs Bag

18 Cabbage KSA 8 12 Green 6 Pcs Bag

19 Cucumber KSA 10 10 Green 6 Kg Ctn

20 Cucumber KSA 30 30 Green 20 Kg Ctn

21 Chili Pepper Pakistan 5 5 Green 0.500 G Bag

22 Capsicum (Peppers) KSA 5 5 Green 1 Kg Bag

23 Celery KSA 10 10 Medium 3 Pieces Ctn

24 Eggplant KSA 20 25 Black 10 Kg Ctn

25 Grapes Lebanon 10 10 Red 1 Kg Basket

26 Grapes Lebanon 10 10 Black 1 Kg Basket

27 Grapefruit Turkey 60 60

15 Kg Ctn

28 Garlic China 35 40 10 Packs 0.900 G Ctn

30 Ginger China 55 55

9 Kg Ctn

31 Green Bean KSA 5 5

0.750 G Box

35 Kiwi Italy 22 25

23 Pieces Box

36 Lemon Egypt 20 20 6 Packs 0.750g Bag

38 Lemon Turkey 35 35

10 Kg Ctn


31


High Price (Sr)

Variety Size Pack

40 Lettuce Jordan 25 30

12 Pieces Ctn

41 Lettuce KSA 5 5 Green 1 Kg Bag

Orange Egypt 35 40

10 Kg Ctn


7 Kg Ctn

Onion Egypt 20 20

15kg Bag

46 Onion Egypt 15 15

10 Kg Bag

47 Onion Egypt 5 5

4kg Bag

48 Onion KSA 12 12 White 4 Kg Bag

49 Okra KSA 70 70 Small 16 Kg Ctn

50 Okra KSA 35 40 Big 12 Kg Ctn

54 Pineapple Philippine 30 35 Big 8 Pcs Ctn

55 Pineapple India 55 55 Medium 6 Pcs Ctn

56 Potato KSA 10 10

5 Kg Bag

57 Potato KSA 6 6

1.5 Kg Bag

58 Pear Turkey 10 10

1kg Box

59 Pumpkin USA 10 12 Small 8 Pieces Bag

60 Red Beet Root KSA 25 25

7 Kg Ctn

61 Spinach KSA 4 4

1 Kg Pack

62 Pumpkin KSA 25 25 Big 3 Pieces Ctn

Papaya Oman 6 6

1 Pcs (Middle Size)

63 Strawberry Egypt 20 20 8 Packs 0250 G Ctn

64 Sweet Pepper Jordan 45 45 Yellow 8 Kg Box

65 Sweet Pepper Egypt 45 45 Red 8 Kg Box

66 Sweet Potatoes Egypt 9 10

1,5 Kg Ctn

67 Tomato Egypt 23 25 Big 8 Kg Basket

68 Tomato Jordan 15 18 Big 7 Kg Ctn

69 Taro China 35 40

9-10 Kg Bag

Zucchini KSA 35 40 Small 14 Kg Ctn

70 Zucchini KSA 20 20 Medium 9kg Ctn


High Price (Sr)

Variety Size Pack

1 Short Red Chillies KSA 45 45 Red 10 Kg Ctn

2 Long Green Chillies KSA 35 40 Green 10kg Ctn


32

Bahrain 3.5.

No. Item Origin Low Price (Bd)

High Price (Bd)

Variety Size Pack

1 Chillies (Dried) India 3.800 4.000

4 Kgs Box

2 Chillies Long Green KSA 1.000 1.200

3kgs Box

3 Chillies Green India 1.000 1.200

5 Kgs Box

4 Chillies Green Fat Jordan 2.000 2.500

6 Kgs Box

5 Chillies Red Jordan 4.000 4.500

6 Kgs Box

6 Chillies Sweet Long Green

Jordan 0.800 1.000

5 Kgs Box

7 Chillies Green KSA 0.800 1.000

5 Kgs Box

8 Chillies Green India 1.200 1.500

4.5 Kgs Box

9 Chillies Long Red Jordan 2.000 2.200

4 Kgs Box

10 Chillies Green Thailand 2.000 2.500

5 Kgs Box

11 Chillies Red Thailand 2.000 2.500

5 Kgs Box

12 Mango (Dried)

Kgs Box

13 Mango Alphonso India 2.500 3.000

3 Kgs Box

14 Mango Yemen 1.200 1.500

3 Kgs Box

21 Apple Green USA. 0.800 0.900

15 Kgs Box

22 Apple Royal Gala France 0.800 0.900

15 Kgs Box

23 Apple Fuji Fancy China 0.500 0.900

15 Kgs Box

24 Apple Green Chile 0.800 0.900

15 Kgs Box

25 Apple Red Chile 0.800 0.900

15 Kgs Box

26 Apple Chile 0.800 0.900

15 Kgs Box

27 Avocado USA 3.200 3.500

10 Kgs Box

28 Apple Jazz

Kgs Box

29 Arvi India 0.900 1.000

5 Kgs Box

30 Acorn Squash Oman 4.200 4.500

10 Kgs Box

32 Banana Philippines 0.700 0.800

10 Kgs Box

33 Broccoli Spain 1.500 1.800

8 Kgs Box

34 Bitter Melon India 1.000 1.000

5 Kgs Box

35 Beans KSA 3.000 3.500

4 Kgs Box

36 Baby Marrow Jordan 2.000 2.500

5 Kgs Box

37 Beet Root KSA 2.000 2.500

7 Kgs Box

38 Chikoo India 1.500 1.800

5 Kgs Box

39 Coconut India 3.000 3.500

25 Pcs. Box

40 Capsicum Orange Oman 2.000 2.500

5 Kgs Box

41 Cauliflower KSA 2.200 2.500

5 Kgs Box


33

No. Item Origin Low Price (Bd)

High Price (Bd)

Variety Size Pack

42 Cabbage KSA 1.200 1.500

8 Kgs Box

43 Capsicum Yellow KSA. 1.500 1.700

5 Kgs Box

44 Cucumber Jordan 2.000 2.500

10 Kgs Box

45 Celery

Kgs Box

46 Capsicum Green Jordan 1.800 2.000

5 Kgs Box

47 Capsicum Red Oman 1.800 2.000

5 Kgs Box

48 Cantaloupe Oman 1.200 1.500

5 Kgs Box

49 Citnass

Kgs Box

50 Capsicum Red Oman 2.000 2.200

5 Kgs Box

51 Capsicum Yellow Oman 1.800 2.000

5 Kgs Box

52 Carrot China 2.000 2.500

10 Kgs Box

53 Drumstick

Kgs Box

54 Eggplant KSA 1.500 1.800

5 Kgs Box

55 Eggplant Jumbo Jordan 0.500 0.500

5 Kgs Box

56 Fresh Leaves Bahrain 0.100 0.150

Bundles Box

57 Ginger (Fresh) China 3.800 4.000

8 Kgs Box

58 Guava Egypt 1.200 1.500

3 Kgs Box

59 Grapefruit Turkey 0.700 0.800

5 Kgs Box

60 Gawar India 0.900 1.000

5 Kgs Box

61 Garlic China 3.000 3.500

8 Kgs Box

62 Iceberg Lettuce Spain 1.500 1.800

7 Kgs Box

63 Kiwi Italy 1.200 1.500

3 Kgs Box

64 Kholrabi

Kgs Box

65 Lemon Turkey 4.000 4.500

10 Kgs Box

66 Long Pakoda

Kgs Box

67 Lettuce Jordan 4.000 4.500

4 Kgs Box

68 Mandarin Morocco 1.200 1.200

8 Kgs Box

69 Mushrooms Oman 0.700 0.800

2 Kgs Box

70 Nectarines Turkey 2.000 2.500

5 Kgs Box

71 Orange Egypt 0.500 0.600

15 Kgs Box

72 Onion India 1.800 2.000

10 Kgs Box

73 Okra India 4.000 4.200

5 Kgs Box

74 Pomegranate Inda 2.000 2.200

3 Kgs Box


34

4. News References

United Arab Emirates

1. EU's move to lift ban on Indian mango imports may offer little relief 11 March 2015 http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-03-11/news/60008316_1_indian-mangoes-fruit-flies-hot-

water-treatment 2. UAE leading import market for Kenya 23 March 2015 5. http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137099/UAE-leading-import-market-for-Kenya 6. 3. Dubai food prices drop due to volatility in oil, currency 28 March 2015 http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/dubai-food-prices-drop-due-to-volatility-in-oil-currency-1.1473930 4. 'Waxed' fruit, vegetables in UAE not harmful 22 March 2015 http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/waxed-fruit-vegetables-in-uae-not-harmful-2015-03-22-

1.585009 5. Moroccan strawberry prices should start dropping soon 12 March 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/136666/Moroccan-strawberry-prices-should-start-dropping-soon 6. Fresh Del Monte Produce Reaches New 1-Year High at US$35.93 (FDP) 14 March 2015

http://www.lulegacy.com/2015/03/14/fresh-del-monte-produce-reaches-new-1-year-high-at-35-93-fdp/ 7. ‘Vegetable, fruit prices will not increase this Ramadan’ 27 March 2015 http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-

1.asp?xfile=data/nationgeneral/2015/March/nationgeneral_March287.xml&section=nationgeneral 8. Agri exports from Maharashtra take a hit 12 March 2015 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Agri-exports-from-Maharashtra-take-a-

hit/articleshow/46535289.cms 9. New SOPs improving quality of Pakistani citrus and mangoes 18 March 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/136945/New-SOPs-improving-quality-of-Pakistani-citrus-and-mangoes 10. Better prospects Pakistani mangoes 24 March 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/136946/Better-prospects-Pakistani-mangoes 11. First Indian mangoes reach Europe after lifting of ban 27 March 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137414/First-Indian-mangoes-reach-Europe-after-lifting-of-ban 12. Dubai imports 11,000 tons of produce per day 27 March 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137382/Dubai-imports-11,000-tonnes-of-produce-per-day

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-03-11/news/60008316_1_indian-mangoes-fruit-flies-hot-water-treatment

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-03-11/news/60008316_1_indian-mangoes-fruit-flies-hot-water-treatment

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137099/UAE-leading-import-market-for-Kenya

http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/dubai-food-prices-drop-due-to-volatility-in-oil-currency-1.1473930

http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/waxed-fruit-vegetables-in-uae-not-harmful-2015-03-22-1.585009



http://www.freshplaza.com/article/136666/Moroccan-strawberry-prices-should-start-dropping-soon

http://www.lulegacy.com/2015/03/14/fresh-del-monte-produce-reaches-new-1-year-high-at-35-93-fdp/

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/nationgeneral/2015/March/nationgeneral_March287.xml&section=nationgeneral

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/nationgeneral/2015/March/nationgeneral_March287.xml&section=nationgeneral

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Agri-exports-from-Maharashtra-take-a-hit/articleshow/46535289.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Agri-exports-from-Maharashtra-take-a-hit/articleshow/46535289.cms

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/136945/New-SOPs-improving-quality-of-Pakistani-citrus-and-mangoes

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/136946/Better-prospects-Pakistani-mangoes

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137382/Dubai-imports-11,000-tonnes-of-produce-per-day


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13. Unseasonal rains in March may hit mango output by 25-30%; price already 50% costlier than last year 30 March 2015 http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-03-30/news/60643755_1_mango-production-s-insram-

ali-mango-output 14. Russia offers ‘green corridor’ for Middle East produce 4 March 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137762/Russia-offers-green-corridor-for-Middle-East-produce 15. Fruit's golden lining for growers 3 April 2015

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11427112 16. SA citrus farmers prune exports 8 April 2015 http://www.iol.co.za/business/news/sa-citrus-farmers-prune-exports-1.1841954#.VSd2CpSUfUE 17. Thousands of banana growers decry wage cuts under new piece-rate system 12 April 2015 http://bulatlat.com/main/2015/04/12/thousands-of-banana-growers-decry-wage-cuts-under-new-piece-rate-

system/ 18. Arab Economic Outlook-April 2015 Report 13 April 2015 http://bqdoha.com/2015/04/arab-economic-outlook2015 19. New Indian banana brands slip into Gulf markets 26 March 2015-04-14 http://www.freshfruitportal.com/2015/03/26/new-indian-banana-brands-slip-into-gulf-

markets/?country=australia 20. Private sector, govt on board in fruit matter 19 April 2015 http://tribune.com.pk/story/872233/private-sector-govt-on-board-in-fruit-matter/ 21. March grocery bills in check as Dubai inflation slips slightly 7. 16 April 2015 8. http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/march-grocery-bills-in-check-as-dubai-inflation-slips-

slightly 22. The world is their oyster: Dubai warehouse holds world’s most expensive seafood 20 April 2015 http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/the-world-is-their-oyster-dubai-warehouse-holds-worlds-most-

expensive-seafood 23. Gulf states import 5 million tons fresh fruit, veg yearly 9. 21 April 2015 http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150421241161 24. UP mango output falls by 50% due to untimely rains, hailstorms 21 April 2015 http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/up-mango-output-falls-by-50-due-to-untimely-

rains-hailstorms-115042100660_1.html 10. 25. Courtesy unseasonal rains, cost of mango varieties touching sky: Assocham Study 21 April 2015

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-03-30/news/60643755_1_mango-production-s-insram-ali-mango-output

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-03-30/news/60643755_1_mango-production-s-insram-ali-mango-output

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137762/Russia-offers-green-corridor-for-Middle-East-produce

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11427112

http://www.iol.co.za/business/news/sa-citrus-farmers-prune-exports-1.1841954#.VSd2CpSUfUE

http://bulatlat.com/main/2015/04/12/thousands-of-banana-growers-decry-wage-cuts-under-new-piece-rate-system/



http://bqdoha.com/2015/04/arab-economic-outlook2015

http://www.freshfruitportal.com/2015/03/26/new-indian-banana-

http://tribune.com.pk/story/872233/private-sector-govt-on-board-in-fruit-matter/

http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/march-grocery-bills-in-check-as-dubai-inflation-slips-slightly

http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/march-grocery-bills-in-check-as-dubai-inflation-slips-slightly

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/the-world-is-their-oyster-dubai-warehouse-holds-worlds-most-expensive-seafood

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/the-world-is-their-oyster-dubai-warehouse-holds-worlds-most-expensive-seafood

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150421241161

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/up-mango-output-falls-by-50-due-to-untimely-rains-hailstorms-115042100660_1.html

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/up-mango-output-falls-by-50-due-to-untimely-rains-hailstorms-115042100660_1.html


36

http://www.merinews.com/article/courtesy-unseasonal-rains-cost-of-mango-varieties-touching-sky-assocham-study/15905907.shtml

11. 26. Be prepared for really expensive Indian mangoes this year 23 April 2015 http://qz.com/388646/be-prepared-for-really-expensive-indian-mangoes-this-year/ 27. UAE mango prices set to rise after storm damage 25 April 2015 http://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-mango-prices-set-to-rise-after-storm-damage 28. Dubai Chamber UAE - New Zealand Business Seminar enhances economic ties 26 April 2015 https://www.zawya.comhttp://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=2015

0427241771/story/Dubai_Chamber_UAE__Ne_Zealand_Business_Seminar_enhances_economic_ties-ZAWYA20150426110827/

28A. GCC food consumption to grow at a 3.5pc to reach 51.9m metric tons 28 April 2015 http://www.khaleejtimes.com/biz/inside.asp?xfile=/data/internationbusiness/2015/April/internationbusiness_

April104.xml&section=internationbusiness 29. Bradley: UAE Ready To Order, But Are We Prepared? 12. 28 April 2015 http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/04/28/bradley-uae-ready-to-order-but-are-we-prepared/ 29A. UAE groundwater levels falling 29 April 2015 http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/environment/uae-groundwater-levels-falling-1.1501491 29.B Is Food Security Prompting a New Race for Africa? 30 April 2015 http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2015/04/30/is-food-security- prompting-a-new-race-for-africa/ 30. Policy shifts to send Saudi corn, wheat imports to record highs 11 March 2015 http://www.agrimoney.com/news/policy-shifts-to-send-saudi-corn-wheat-imports-to-record-highs--8062.html 31. Prohibition/Ban on Import of Fruits/Vegetables 13 March 2015 http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/prohibition-ban-on-import-of-fruits-vegetables-115031300665_1.html 32. Rotten food, stolen goods seized, hawkers arrested in Makkah raids 14 March 2015 http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150315236924 33. Violations at Jeddah vegetable market under scanner. 28 March 2015 http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/723906 34. Saudi inflation at lowest level in nine years 12 March 2015 http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/saudi-inflation-at-lowest-level-in-nine-years

http://qz.com/388646/be-prepared-for-really-expensive-indian-mangoes-this-year/

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-mango-prices-set-to-rise-after-storm-damage

https://www.zawya.comhttp/www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150427241771/story/Dubai_Chamber_UAE__Ne_Zealand_Business_Seminar_enhances_economic_ties-ZAWYA20150426110827/



http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/04/28/bradley-uae-ready-to-order-but-are-we-prepared/

http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/environment/uae-groundwater-levels-falling-1.1501491

http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2015/04/30/is-food-security-

http://www.agrimoney.com/news/policy-shifts-to-send-saudi-corn-wheat-imports-to-record-highs--8062.html

http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/prohibition-ban-on-import-of-fruits-vegetables-115031300665_1.html

http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/prohibition-ban-on-import-of-fruits-vegetables-115031300665_1.html


http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/723906

http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/saudi-inflation-at-lowest-level-in-nine-years


37

35. LuLu opens 5th Saudi hypermarket in Jubail. 15 March 2015 http://www.arabnews.com/corporate-news/news/718266 36. Need to reduce food waste: Experts 13. 28 March 2015 http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/722026 37. Freak weather hits mango crop in UP, prices to soar 29 March 2015 http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/freak-weather-hits-mango-crop-in-up-prices-to-soar/article1-1331672.aspx 38. Untimely rains damage 30 % mango crops in Uttar Pradesh 5 April 2015 http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/untimely-rains-damage-30-per-cent-mango-crops-in-uttar-pradesh/ 39. Sharbatly launches latest cold storage warehouses 6 April 2015 http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150407239477 40. Kuwait Reassures Citizens On Strategic Food Stocks 29 March 2015 http://gulfbusiness.com/2015/03/kuwait-reassures-citizens-strategic-food-stocks/#.VSd3ApSUfUE 41. Egypt, Saudi Arabia Agree On Increasing Agricultural Investments 24 April 2015

http://en.arabstoday.net/environment/world/egypt-saudi-arabia-agree-on-increasing-agricultural-investments.html 42. Food supply remains unaffected 10 April 2015 http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/727651 43. Kingdom eases Saudisation plan 9 April 2015 http://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/164834/saudi-eases-saudisation-plan 44. Saudi shipping line suspends port calls as Yemen conflict worsens 11 April

http://customstoday.com.pk/saudi-shipping-line-suspends-port-calls-as-yemen-conflict-worsens/ 45. Water-poor Saudi Arabia invests in Canadian Wheat Board’s grain 16 April 2015 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/water-poor-saudi-arabia-invests-in-canadian-wheat-boards-grain/article23997819/ 46. Six Sudanese Arab Food Security Projects for Saudi Arabia 14. 22 April 2015 http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=248906 47. ‘Arab spring’ batters Jordan produce exports 21 April 2015 http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/2015042113620/Economics/arab-spring-batters-jordan-produce-exports.html

http://www.arabnews.com/corporate-news/news/718266

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/722026

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/freak-weather-hits-mango-crop-in-up-prices-to-soar/article1-1331672.aspx

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/freak-weather-hits-mango-crop-in-up-prices-to-soar/article1-1331672.aspx

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/untimely-rains-damage-30-per-cent-mango-crops-in-uttar-pradesh/

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/untimely-rains-damage-30-per-cent-mango-crops-in-uttar-pradesh/


http://gulfbusiness.com/2015/03/kuwait-reassures-citizens-strategic-food-stocks/#.VSd3ApSUfUE

http://en.arabstoday.net/environment/world/egypt-saudi-arabia-agree-on-increasing-agricultural-investments.html

http://en.arabstoday.net/environment/world/egypt-saudi-arabia-agree-on-increasing-agricultural-investments.html

http://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/164834/saudi-eases-saudisation-plan

http://customstoday.com.pk/saudi-shipping-line-suspends-port-calls-as-yemen-conflict-worsens/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/water-poor-saudi-arabia-invests-in-canadian-wheat-boards-grain/article23997819/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/water-poor-saudi-arabia-invests-in-canadian-wheat-boards-grain/article23997819/

http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=248906

http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/2015042113620/Economics/arab-spring-batters-jordan-produce-exports.html




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48. New South African CG aims to build on bilateral relations 26 April 2015 http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150427241771 49. Blockade of Yemeni Ports Has Unintended Consequences on Food Security, Somali Fishing Industry 23 April 2015 http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2015/04/blockade-yemeni-ports-unintended-consequences-food-security-somali-fishing-industry/ 50. Saudi, G3 link yields cash, growing market 23 April 2015 http://www.producer.com/2015/04/saudi-g3-link-yields-cash-growing-market/ Oman 51. Brazil seeks to boost trade ties with Oman 11 April 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/News/50138/Article-Brazil-seeks-to-boost-trade-ties-with-Oman 52. Omani companies get an insight into Ethiopian market 4 April 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/News/49812/Article-Omani-companies-get-an-insight-into-Ethiopian-market 53. Slight increase in Oman's inflation rate 7 April 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/News/50012/Article-Slight-increase-in-Omans-inflation-rate 15. 54. Food safety seminar to stress on quality in Oman 6 April 2015-04-13 http://www.timesofoman.com/News/49956/Article-Food-safety-seminar-to-stress-on-quality-in-Oman 55. SAJWANI SPELLS OUT DEVELOPMENT PLAN 23 March 2015 http://omanbulletin.com/story-z6797549 56. Oman's honey bees set to buzz at Science Café meet 17 March 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/News/48991/Article-Honey-bees-set-to-buzz-at-Science-Caf%C3%A9-meet 57. Iran, Oman to Launch New Direct Shipping Line 25 April 2015

http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/721617 58. Oman to attend Expo Milan 2015 25 April 2015 http://www.timesofoman.com/News/50746/Article-Oman-to-attend-Expo-Milan-2015 Qatar 59. Prices of fish, vegetables stable March 20, 2015 - 2:08:59 am 20 March 2015-04-13http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/327765/prices-of-fish-vegetables-stable 60. Hi-tech lab in Abu Samra to test pesticides in fruits, vegetables 8 March 2015


http://www.timesofoman.com/News/50138/Article-Brazil-seeks-to-boost-trade-ties-with-Oman

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/49812/Article-Omani-companies-get-an-insight-into-Ethiopian-market

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/49812/Article-Omani-companies-get-an-insight-into-Ethiopian-market

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/50012/Article-Slight-increase-in-Omans-inflation-rate

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/50012/Article-Slight-increase-in-Omans-inflation-rate

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/49956/Article-Food-safety-seminar-to-stress-on-quality-in-Oman

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/49956/Article-Food-safety-seminar-to-stress-on-quality-in-Oman

http://omanbulletin.com/story-z6797549

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/48991/Article-Honey-bees-set-to-buzz-at-Science-Caf%C3%A9-meet

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/48991/Article-Honey-bees-set-to-buzz-at-Science-Caf%C3%A9-meet

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/50746/Article-Oman-to-attend-Expo-Milan-2015

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/50746/Article-Oman-to-attend-Expo-Milan-2015


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http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/325759/hi-tech-lab-in-abu-samra-to-test-pesticides-in-fruits-vegetables 61. Transforming Deserts Into Farmland 3 March 2015 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/x-prize-foundation/transforming-deserts-into_b_6796312.html 62. Population surges to over 2.33 million 2 March 2015 http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/324619/population-surges-to-over-2-33-million 63. Rethinking Food 2 March 2015 http://bqdoha.com/2015/03/qatar-food-security 64. Partners for Qatar International Food Festival 2015 announced 16. 9 March 2015 http://www.qatarliving.com/forum/news/posts/partners-qatar-international-food-festival-2015-announced 65. African expatriates miss native food in Qatar 13 March 2015 http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/326650/african-expatriate-miss-native-food-in-qatar 66. Experts warn on imported fruits 11April 2015 http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150411/lifestyle-food/article/experts-warn-imported-fruits 67. Qatar Dietary Guidelines launched 9 April 2015 http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/331390/qatar-dietary-guidelines-launched 68. Kingdom's agricultural development highlighted 3 March 2015 http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/656810 69. Moroccan agricultural sector continues to grow 30 April 2015-05-02 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/139084/Moroccan-agricultural-sector-continues-to-grow Bahrain 70. BD6 million Muharraq market plan may be shelved 30 March 2015 http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=398920

71. The apple is the queen of exports, first lady of MedFEL 21 April 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/138620/The-apple-is-the-queen-of-exports,-first-lady-of-MedFEL 72. Bahrain ranks high on investment benchmark

4 March 2015 17. http://www.tradearabia.com/news/BANK_276757.html 73. Expo focus on food and hospitality... 29 April2015 http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=400890

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/325759/hi-tech-lab-in-abu-samra-to-test-pesticides-in-fruits-vegetables

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/325759/hi-tech-lab-in-abu-samra-to-test-pesticides-in-fruits-vegetables

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/x-prize-foundation/transforming-deserts-into_b_6796312.html

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/324619/population-surges-to-over-2-33-million

http://bqdoha.com/2015/03/qatar-food-security

http://bqdoha.com/2015/03/qatar-food-security

http://www.qatarliving.com/forum/news/posts/partners-qatar-international-food-festival-2015-announced

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/326650/african-expatriate-miss-native-food-in-qatar

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150411/lifestyle-food/article/experts-warn-imported-fruits

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/331390/qatar-dietary-guidelines-launched

http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/656810

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/138620/The-apple-is-the-queen-of-exports,-first-lady-of-MedFEL

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/BANK_276757.html

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=400890


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74. Bangladesh: Onion rises as potato prices touch record low 27 April 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/138903/Bangladesh-Onion-rises-as-potato-prices-touch-record-low 75. Bahrain: Tighter controls on fruit imports urged by Premier 1 May 2015 http://www.freshplaza.com/article/139188/Bahrain-Tighter-controls-on-fruit- imports-urged-by-Premier

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/139188/Bahrain-Tighter-controls-on-fruit-

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