Mr. Yaqoob Al Balooshi, Fresh Category Trade Dept. Manager, Union Coop, confirmed that the company is and always has been keen to offer the best quality fruits and vegetables to consumers at competitive prices.
Yaqoob revealed that 100 tons of fruits and vegetables are supplied to the supermarket daily, including 60 tons of vegetables and 40 tons of fruits, noting that the cooperative contracts with suppliers are established within strict conditions and procedures.
20 types of herbs cover 30% of consumption
He further referred to the performance of its organic Union Farms during 2022 producing 20 types of leafy vegetables, which covers 30% of the consumption of cooperative branches.
Noting that work is currently underway to study the possibility of producing vegetables through a similar project in any future branches of the cooperative. Moreover, this farming concept represents an educational aspect for visitors of the cooperative who belong to different ages, especially school students, and shows them the correct method of hydroponic farming.
Accelerating sustainable farming
Yaqoob pointed out that Coop has been keen for decades to support local products of all kinds and types and to support Emirati farmers continuously by providing excellent facilities to Emirati farms to encourage sustainable agriculture.
In addition to contributing to building sustainable food security, noting that the number of farms that the cooperative deals with in 2022 is 95, including 42 local companies, 9 conventional farms, 28 organic farms, and 16 hydroponic farms.
Yaqoob pointed out that the company is constantly working with farmers in Emirati farms that contract with to sustain production for longer periods throughout the year. Thereby, enabling them to use new agricultural methods such as aeroponic and aquaponic farming in addition to the currently available organic and hydroponic farming.
