Dubai : Plans to create an independent watchdog for the organic industry in the UAE and across the Middle East have been welcomed by consumers and the industry.
The move to create a GCC-wide certification body has already won the support of the UAE government and will see the UK's Soil Association work with the industry to develop an official system for organic producers to abide by.
Going organic, officially
Spanish national Pedro Vazquez welcomed the news saying that it will encourage more companies to go organic. "There isn't much of a variety of organic products in Dubai compared with Europe, but having something official may reassure people that what they are buying is the real thing," he said.
The Soil Association, a charity that promotes sustainable use of land, is working with Alyasra Foods, one of the region's largest organic retailers, to develop an organic food certification body for the Middle East.
Dr Hanif Hassan, the UAE's Minister of Health, has called for an "intensification" of efforts to persuade consumers to opt for organic products. At present, the market for organic products in the GCC is around $300 million (Dh1.1 billion) and the figure is set to rise in coming years. "Joint cooperation is needed to remove obstacles hindering the progress of this vital sector," said Dr Hassan. The UAE is backing the sector with organic farms set to grow from eight at the moment to 15.
Mohammad A. Aboul Naja, Group Director of Kuwait based-Alyasra Foods, unveiled the initial details of the proposed body at the Exhibition for Natural and Organic Products, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. "The setting up of an organic food certification body focused on the region will boost the growth of this sector," he said, adding that certification will add "credibility and confidence" in all organic products in the region. "The certification body will have a regional mandate and help governments, consumers and producers to develop a larger understanding of the organic movement. It will boost the myriad initiatives taken by GCC governments and private sector players," said Naja.
Craig Sams, Vice-Chairman, Soil Association, said: "The Middle East is a fast-growing market for organic and natural foods and our presence will contribute positively to the advancement of this sector."
The global market for organic and natural foods is $220 billion (Dh735 billion), while the Asian market, including the Middle East, is around $500 million (Dh1.8 billion).
SNAIL CAVIAR
An organic farmer is tempting those with discerning taste buds with snail caviar. Costing almost Dh9,000 per kilo, the pearly white eggs are a luxury item, which Patrice Lambert — the world's only organic snail egg farmer — is sure will win over diners. His firm, Pearle and Saveurs, produces 200kg of it each year. It takes 250 snails a month to produce a kilo of eggs. Lambert, who has 1.1 million snails on his farm near Lyon says, "Snail caviar has earthy flavours". He is in talks with restaurants in Dubai for using his product.
