Falal Ameen, Chief Executive Officer of Ghitha Holding, guaranteed the long-term food security of the United Arab Emirates during the Make it in the Emirates event on Tuesday. He stated the country possesses the necessary infrastructure to handle any crisis and secure food supplies for the next century. He confirmed the majority of the food production network operated by his company already resides within the borders of the UAE.
The ongoing regional conflict, which began on February 28, prompted questions regarding supply chain continuity. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted traditional shipping routes. Ameen clarified that the UAE leveraged its major ports and global aviation hubs to divert supply chains rapidly. He noted his team experienced concern for only a single day before operations returned to normal. He also confirmed these logistical adjustments caused minimal impact on consumer food prices.
Ghitha Holding operates as a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi-listed 2PointZero Group. The company manages extensive food production and distribution networks encompassing dairy, poultry, agriculture, and edible oils. The corporate portfolio includes major domestic brands such as Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy, the NRTC Group, and Ripe Fresh. These operations directly support the National Food Security Strategy 2051. This government initiative aims to elevate the UAE to the top position on the Global Food Security Index by boosting domestic production and broadening supply chains.
Long-Term UAE Food Security and Local Production Growth
To further expand local production, two Ghitha subsidiaries announced a major joint venture at the industry event. Al Ain Farms Group and the NRTC Group partnered to launch Al Ain Taaza. This new brand targets a one-third share of the 500 million dirham fresh juice market in the country. The companies plan to launch the product line in the third quarter of this year, offering more than 15 distinct flavors. NRTC will manage end-to-end production, sourcing, and processing operations. Al Ain Farms will provide in-house bottle manufacturing and leverage its established nationwide distribution network, which reaches more than 23,000 retail outlets daily.
The focus on domestic production continues to attract new companies to the agricultural sector, particularly in vertical farming and dairy. Ameen welcomed the increasing market competition. He stated the ecosystem requires more participants, private investment, and talented personnel to advance national food security objectives. He expressed confidence that advancing technology will soon enable the UAE to localize the entire national supply chain from end to end.
While prioritizing domestic capabilities, Ghitha Holding also evaluates opportunities beyond the UAE borders. Ameen outlined initial plans to target the Middle East and North Africa regions. He emphasized his intention to establish the company as a dominant regional player while utilizing the current portfolio to drive the planned expansion.
