Global Star, a producer and distributor of fresh produce, recently introduced a plantation of Red Papayas in Saudi Arabia, taking advantage of the demand for the fruit in the Arabian Gulf markets and the suitable climate in the Jizan region, said Burhan Khwaja, COO of the Global Star.
"Jizan has a hot desert climate with rainfall of less than 200 mm per year and an average annual temperature between 28 and 32 °C, which is an optimal temperature range for papayas. This climate gives papayas a vibrant salmon colored flesh, sweet aroma and melon-like flavor, which is widely accepted and appreciated in the Middle East," explains Burhan.
The grower continues: "The Red Lady papayas are then packed in our warehouse located in the same locality in accordance with international standards for cleaning, segregation, weighing and safety. Jizan's strategic location on the Red Sea provides easy access to the East African market and abundant natural resources."
The choice of Jizan is also consistent with, and benefits from the national desire to promote agriculture in the region, adds Burhan: "The southern and western outskirts of the city of Jizan is a place that the Kingdom wishes to transform into an agricultural center because of the presence of groundwater and rich and diverse soil.
In addition to its red papaya production, Global Star also imports other fruits: "In Ecuador and India, we have established partnerships with carefully selected growers to produce and package our bananas. Similarly, in Spain, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa and Greece, we work with trusted partners to produce and pack various citrus fruits. In China and Vietnam, our partners produce and package garlic and ginger. We also work closely with partners in Italy, Poland and Greece to produce and package our delicious apples."
Global Star distributes its products through its newly launched brand called "Delizia": "We want Delizia to be an iconic brand for fresh produce. This brand represents our commitment to quality and global reach. It is dedicated to superior quality and reflects our commitment to a strong connection between farmers and consumers."
The premium fruit market in the middle east is solid, according to the producer, and rewards good quality "our mission is to find carefully selected growers who are chosen based on their expertise, reliability and commitment to providing fresh, tasty produce to middle east consumers."
For more information:
Burhan Khawaja
Global Star
Tel: +966 59 036 2119
Email: [email protected]
www.globalstarksa.com