In a groundbreaking move for sustainable agriculture in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is set to host the world’s first commercial-scale vertical strawberry farm outside North America. This initiative comes as part of a joint venture between Mawarid Holding Investment and US-based Plenty Unlimited.
Key Highlights:
- Dh500 million ($130 million) investment in Abu Dhabi vertical farm
- Annual production target: 2 million kg of strawberries
- Plans for 5 farms in 5 years, with potential Dh2.5 billion ($680 million) investment
- Partnership aims to supply fresh produce across GCC countries
Project Details:
- Farm size: Approximately 7,500 square meters (81,000 square feet)
- Expected completion: Late 2026
- Production pre-committed to Driscoll’s, a global premium berry leader
- Year-round supply of peak-season flavor strawberries
- Reduced food miles compared to current imports
Impact on UAE and GCC:
- Enhanced food security for the region
- Creation of thousands of employment opportunities
- Sustainable agriculture using cutting-edge technology
- Reduced reliance on air-freighted imports
Stakeholder Comments:
Kashif Shamsi, Group CEO of Mawarid: “This joint venture enables us to leverage the most advanced farming technology in the world to grow local food supply throughout the GCC, beginning with our home market in Abu Dhabi, while preserving our precious natural resources.”
Arama Kukutai, CEO of Plenty: “Plenty has built the most technologically advanced indoor farming platform aimed not only at meeting year-round consumer demand but making it possible to build a long-term food security infrastructure that can adapt to the needs of regions like the Middle East.”
This innovative project represents a significant step forward in addressing food security challenges in the UAE and broader GCC region, while also demonstrating the potential of vertical farming technology in arid climates.
JobXDubai 
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