Tomato harvesting in the United Arab Emirates is imminent after a successful development period, according to Faisal Shehzad, farm supervisor at E20 Investment.
Shehzad told FreshPlaza, "The development period has been smooth, and we even exceeded our yield targets and reached 400 tons per hectare instead of the expected 330. We produce several varieties, such as cherry tomatoes, cluster tomatoes, beef tomatoes, and plum tomatoes. We haven't had any climatic or phytosanitary problems, and the quality is excellent as well."
The only constraint to tomato production in the United Arab Emirates is the high temperature in summer, adds the grower. "We produce in a controlled environment, using high-tech greenhouses with closing roofs, shading nets, and sprinkling systems. We're helped by very low energy costs in the UAE, so there are no insurmountable constraints for producing tomatoes or other fruits and vegetables. It's even cheaper to produce them locally."
E20 Investment's production is intended for the local market and for export to neighboring countries, notably Oman and Saudi Arabia. Part of the production is even destined for Europe, adds Shehzad.
The grower, who has just joined the UAE after a long experience in Pakistan, concludes, "The UAE is making giant strides in the local production of fresh produce despite the adverse climate. The number of greenhouses is increasing in an impressive way every year.
For more information:
Faisal Shehzad
E20 Investment
Tel.: +971 55 507 9395
www.linkedin.com/in/faisal-shehzad-a040a2141