Abu dhabi: Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, stated that the UAE is continuing to bolster its status as a leading regional hub for economic activities in the food sector, under the directives of its wise leadership. He emphasized the nation’s integrated infrastructure, which relies on global best practices, advanced technology, and flexible supply chains to ensure the sustainability and abundance of food supplies in local markets.
According to Emirates News Agency, this declaration was made during a field visit by the Minister to the Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company (ADVOC), one of the UAE’s prominent national companies in the food manufacturing sector. The visit aimed to evaluate the efficiency and readiness of food supply chains and the strategic stock levels of essential commodities, as well as to enhance partnerships between the public and private sectors. Bin Touq was welcomed by Nirman R. Shetty, Chief Executive Officer of ADVOC, and other senior company officials.
Bin Touq remarked that food industries, including vegetable oil production, are vital in strengthening the national food security system by enhancing economic and industrial integration, boosting local production, and supporting economic diversification. He highlighted that national companies in the food manufacturing sector are exemplary models of advanced Emirati industry, utilizing the latest production technologies and adhering to the highest food safety and quality standards. This enables them to expand locally, regionally, and globally. In the current environment, these companies play a crucial role in maintaining the continuity of food supply chains and market stability, reinforcing the UAE’s readiness to meet consumer demand and supporting its ranking among the top 10 countries in the Global Food Security Index, in line with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.
The Minister reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to maintaining market stability and ensuring the availability of strategic goods in sufficient and safe quantities, in line with regional and global developments. In statements to Emirates News Agency (WAM), he mentioned that the Ministry continually monitors market developments, affirming its commitment to price stability and reassuring the public that this stability will persist in the coming period.
Bin Touq noted that the UAE is well-prepared to address various scenarios to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential goods. He added that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism is set to implement decisions this week aimed at strengthening price monitoring mechanisms and enhancing market transparency. He emphasized that food security is a national priority and a red line, noting that the UAE’s long-term strategies have focused on building an integrated system that guarantees sustainable food supplies.
Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Under-Secretary for Support Services at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, confirmed the availability of essential goods across retail outlets nationwide. She noted that the Ministry’s call center operates throughout the week and has managed approximately 3,000 inquiries since the beginning of Ramadan through specialized inspection teams.
Falal Ameen, CEO of Ghitha Holding, expressed that the visit reflects the depth of strategic partnership between the public and private sectors and underscores their joint commitment to supporting and strengthening the UAE’s national food security system. He added that the visit is particularly significant amid rapid regional and global developments, highlighting the importance of building more flexible and sustainable supply systems.
Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company plays a crucial role in supporting food security in the UAE by ensuring the availability of essential products and maintaining efficient supply chains, contributing to market stability. During the tour, the Minister reviewed the various production stages at the factory, from receiving raw oils from global markets, through refining processes using advanced technologies, to final packaging under strict quality control systems.
The Minister also examined the factory’s advanced operational capabilities, which exceed 200,000 metric tonnes annually, along with storage capacities exceeding 40,000 metric tonnes, enhancing inventory management efficiency and ensuring supply continuity across local and regional markets. The company distributes nearly 17 cooking oil brands through an integrated logistics network and modern supply chain system, including third-party manufacturing and packaging.
Company officials also briefed the Minister on its regional and international expansion, with products reaching GCC countries, the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa, serving multiple sectors including retail, food industries, hospitality, government entities, and international organizations. The UAE’s trade in food products reached AED148.6 billion in 2024, marking a 16.8% increase compared to AED127.2 billion in 2023, while national food exports grew by 10.9% to AED24.2 billion.