Dubai,January 2026: In a move to strengthen demand for locally produced food and enhance the UAE’s sustainable food security ecosystem, Her Excellency Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Agriculture Center, launched the Sustainable Product initiative. It aims to increase the share of locally sourced agricultural and animal products used across the UAE’s restaurant and hotel sector to 25 per cent.
The launch was announced during Her Excellency’s participation at the signing ceremony of 6 strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), by the National Agriculture Centre with leading hospitality and industry players in the UAE. These agreements are part of the initiative’s first executive framework, establishing a clear and commercially sustainable pathway for integrating produce from UAE farms into the supply chains of leading tourism and hospitality establishments.
The announcement was made at an event held at Emirates Towers in Dubai, attended by Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agriculture Centre, along with representatives of the signatory entities, which include: Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company PJSC, Luxury Hotels Management MEA Limited, Legacy Hotels Holding Co. Ltd, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Barakat Vegetables & Fruits Co. LLC, and SAFCO International General Trading LLC.
The Emirati Farmer at the Heart of National Production:
Her Excellency Dr Al Dahak emphasised that strengthening sustainable food security and the agricultural ecosystem are key priorities in the UAE’s future vision. HE added that the nation’s agricultural sector has moved beyond its traditional role to serve as a strategic driver of technology and innovation, with the Emirati farmer as a pillar of the national food production.
Her Excellency said: “The launch of the Sustainable Product initiative, which targets a 25% share of local procurement in the hospitality sector, is a fundamental shift in the food security equation. It marks a transition from supporting production to ensuring consumption and generating market demand. This provides Emirati farmers with the confidence and economic viability needed to expand their agricultural investments. Linking farm production to the needs of the tourism sector and other key industries offers the strongest guarantee for the continuity of production and agricultural development in line with the highest international standards”.
Her Excellency added that the signing of the strategic MOUs with leading hospitality institutions is a practical step towards establishing a sustainable market for local produce and bridging the marketing gap faced by farmers. HE Dr Al Dahak further emphasised that the inclusion of Emirati products on the menus of the country’s leading hotels and hospitality establishments is a testament to their quality and competitiveness, and a clear vote of confidence for the safety of national food production, and an invitation for the private sector to serve as a development partner rather than merely as a consumer.
Her Excellency invited all partners and stakeholders to participate in the second edition of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition (EACE), scheduled for late April. The event will focus on strengthening linkages across the entire food value chain, from farm to table, and on opening new horizons for agricultural investment and entrepreneurship. It will emphasise supporting local farmers and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global centre for agricultural innovation.
Establishing a Model Linking National Farms and the Luxury Hospitality Sector
The strategic importance of the initiative lies in its establishment of an integrated economic model that creates a direct and sustainable link between the production of national farms and the requirements of the luxury hospitality sector. By targeting a defined percentage of local procurement, the initiative contributes to the creation of stable and long-term demand for local products, thereby encouraging farmers to expand production and adopt advanced agricultural technologies. The initiative also serves as a key pillar in achieving national objectives related to increasing local production and reducing reliance on food imports, in line with the goals of the National Food Security Strategy 2051.
The six MOUs signed under this framework mark a new phase of economic cooperation, with a direct focus on supporting Emirati agricultural products and ensuring the consistent supply of fresh local vegetables and crops to the supply chains of leading hotels and restaurants in the UAE. This step reflects the efforts of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, through the National Agriculture Centre, to expand institutional partnerships and strengthen integration between the public and private sectors.
Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agriculture Centre, explained that the Centre operates under a strategic vision to build an integrated and sustainable national agricultural ecosystem that empowers Emirati farmers and positions them as key partners in advancing the UAE’s food security. This is achieved by providing a supportive and productive environment that adopts the latest agricultural technologies and aligns the output of local farms with the growing market demand.
Regarding the Sustainable Product initiative and the MOUs signed with six leading hospitality entities, Al Shamsi said that it embodies a model of effective strategic partnership with the private sector, aimed at establishing sustainable marketing channels for locally grown crops. This ensures reliable sales outlets for farmers, encourages the expansion of agricultural activity, and guarantees a steady supply of fresh local produce to the market.
Al Shamsi added that the National Agriculture Centre will continue to pursue partnerships and forge agreements that support domestic production and reduce the nation’s reliance on imports. He said that ongoing efforts are focused on enhancing the entire agricultural supply chain and ensuring that products meet the highest international standards to cater to the needs of the hospitality sector and other industries across the UAE.
Lulwa Al Marzouqi, Head of the Innovation Team – UAE Government Leaders Programme, said that the initiative and MOUs are a call to advance modern, climate-smart agricultural solutions, describing them as an optimal pathway for overcoming natural challenges such as water scarcity and limited arable land.
Al Marzouqi added that the National Agriculture Centre’s vision goes beyond marketing, focusing instead on deploying innovative solutions and precise data to boost local production of essential crops in line with rising market demand. She emphasised that integrating artificial intelligence and robotics into the agricultural system will directly enhance supply-chain efficiency, reduce waste, and elevate the quality of produce.
From Farm to Table: A Live Showcase of Emirati Produce
On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, the venue’s foyer transformed into a vibrant mini-agricultural exhibition. Here, elite local producers showcased the quality and diversity of the UAE’s food basket, displaying an assortment of products that impressed attendees with their superior specifications and nutritional value. This provided tangible proof of the UAE’s ability to produce food products that match the highest global standards. The experience powerfully demonstrated to the senior procurement and hospitality officials present that Emirati agricultural and food products possess all the necessary quality attributes to be primary and preferred ingredients in the menus of the country’s finest restaurants and tourism establishments.
In a live display of culinary talent, four Emirati chefs skillfully transformed the exhibition’s fresh produce into a series of exceptional dishes that captivated the audience. Their innovative recipes served as a practical testament to the premium quality of UAE-grown ingredients, proving they possess the distinct flavor and versatility to rival international standards. This showcase underscored the readiness of local agricultural products to serve as a primary choice for the hospitality industry and beyond.
Through this practical experience, senior procurement and hospitality officials recognized the exceptional flavour, quality, and versatility of UAE-grown agricultural products, confirming their potential as preferred ingredients for the nation’s leading restaurants and tourism sector.
