UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: CONSUMPTION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES IS GROWING AS MORE PEOPLE LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

pandemic, have changed the local consumption scenarios; according to a research commissioned by the Irish Food Board, 50% of the consumers from the UAE declared that they increasingly choose foods that help strengthen their immune system; 52% agree with the importance of the traceability factor in the products they consume and 56% think that quality standards are even more important today.

The UAE imports most of the fruit and vegetables available in the country and there is a strong interest for the high-quality European products.

Fresh Up Your Life, the CSO Italy project funded by the European Union, support the promotion of high quality, nutritious and healthy fresh products in the United Arab Emirates until 2025, highlighting the themes of sustainability, clarity and traceability of the supply chain. The following Italian companies also participate in the programme: Apofruit Italia, Cico-Mazzoni,

Conserve Italia, Lagnasco Group, Oranfrizer, Origine, Unacoa. Kiwis, apples, pears, blood oranges, pureed tomatoes (considering that pasta is the most imported product in this area) are the products on which the project will focus on.

In the UAE, “Made in Italy” food is particularly appreciated for the uniqueness of tastes and flavours (first distinguishing feature for 26% of consumers), for the typical and traditional recipes (21%) and for the high quality of the raw materials (17%). Furthermore, Italy leads the ranking of quality: 20% of UAE consumers believe that Italian food products have better distinctive qualities than products from other countries.

Italy is one of the UAE main suppliers of kiwis (42% of the total value in the fruit and vegetable category), peaches (32%) and plums (6%).