Union Cooperative confirmed that it is working to give priority to national industry and local agricultural products, through partnerships with Emirati farms and local private sector companies.
She revealed to “Emirates Today” that 25 Emirati farms are currently working to supply varieties of organic vegetables and fruits to the cooperative’s outlets in Dubai markets, pointing out that it has plans to support Emiratization, at a time when it achieved Emiratization rates that reached a total of 36% at the end of October 2024.
Union Coop explained that the retail trade markets are witnessing a remarkable recovery and growth, supported by the population increase, tourism activity, and the momentum of business sectors in Dubai. It is also witnessing growth in e-commerce and smart services.
National industry
In detail, the CEO of Union Cooperative, Mohammed Al Hashemi, said, “The cooperative is working to give priority to the products of national industry and local farms in its sales outlets.”
He added in an interview with “Emirates Today” that “Union Cooperative” is constantly working to enhance rates of sustainable national food security, build new partnerships with the private sector, encourage the spread of green areas in the country, and ensure its sustainability, in addition to encouraging citizen farmers to expand agricultural activities. To increase production, to achieve food security, and reduce the food gap, through various partnerships, the most prominent of which is the partnership with Hatta Farms.
Al Hashemi continued: “Union Coop participated in the introductory meeting for the national program (Plant the Emirates), which was organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment with major private sector companies operating in the agricultural sector in the country. The cooperative is also working to discuss ways of cooperation to enhance its contribution in supporting the goals and initiatives.” “And the activities of the ‘Plant the Emirates’ campaign during the next phase, to enhance sustainable food security for the UAE.”
He stressed that, “For decades, the cooperative has been keen to visit national farms to support local products of all kinds and varieties, and to support Emirati farmers on an ongoing basis, and it has ongoing cooperation with the largest vertical farm based on hydroponics in the world, which is the (Bastanik) farm that was established in Dubai.”
Organic products
In response to a question about organic products, Al-Hashemi said: “The cooperative’s supply of fresh organic products, including vegetables and fruits, is carried out through 25 local farms from various regions of the country, as the quantity supplied to the cooperative daily ranges between eight and 10 tons of various types on local farms,” pointing out. “(The cooperative) receives 65 products of vegetables and fruits daily through supply operations, which include items such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, And zucchini, cantaloupe, watermelon, and leaves.”
He added: “Demand rates for local organic products are witnessing an increasing demand by consumers in large and increasing proportions, as a result of the healthy food culture that consumers have come to enjoy,” pointing out that (Union Cooperative) is one of the first entities that motivated national farmers to invest in Organic farming since 2008, and supported them by displaying and marketing their products in its branches spread across the Emirate of Dubai, allocating places that accommodate the largest number of products, and highlighting them through billboards and publications. Marketing.
Localization indicators
Regarding the Emiratization indicators within the cooperative, Al-Hashemi said: “Union Coop has come a long way in supporting its Emiratization indicators, as its Emiratization rates are considered among the highest Emiratization rates in the private sector compared to its competitors, and reached 36% until the end of last October.” .
He stressed that “the cooperative is committed to its strategic plan to increase the rate of Emiratisation in all its branches and centers spread in the Emirate of Dubai, in fulfillment of the directives of the wise leadership, that the issue of providing jobs for citizens and attracting and retaining the best national cadres be a permanent priority for it, and it also constantly seeks to provide job opportunities for Emirati youth, whether Males or females, it provided them with jobs with clear and precise paths that suit their academic qualifications.”
He continued: “Union Coop has also worked to qualify many national cadres and hone their talents, in addition to its investment projects that it dedicates to attracting young people to invest in the private sector, in addition to adopting a special program to train graduate citizens in its various departments.” He said: “Union Coop has We currently have 27 branches and eight commercial centers, and we are working on a study to expand in the Emirate of Dubai. Expansion is not only related to increased growth, but rather to achieving this growth efficiently and sustainably. “The Cooperative seeks to make its services provided sustainable, competitive, and commensurate with the regions in which it operates.”
Retail and labels
In response to a question about future plans, Al Hashemi said: “The cooperative has a set of future plans through which it seeks to expand in the local markets in Dubai, and to increase the number of its products bearing the (Union) brand, in order to keep pace with the growth of the increasing demand for products, and to raise the cooperative’s competitiveness rate.” In the retail trade sector and local markets, demand rates for basic items are increasing, supported by the increase in the number of residents and visitors to Dubai, and the diversity of purchasing cultures.”
He added, “The cooperative embraces thousands of local and international products and brands, and is recording continuous growth in the number of local and international brands currently available in its outlets, as demand indicators in the retail sector are witnessing a positive and rapid recovery and rise, according to market indicators, and the rise in consumer demand linked to the growth of tourism activity and the number of Population, especially in light of the economic recovery witnessed by the Emirate of Dubai.
He explained that “the number of (Al-Ittihad’s) products is constantly increasing, and has now exceeded more than 1,500 products, at a time when (Tawuniya) is currently working to expand the scope of its services and increase the number of products bearing its brand to keep pace with the competitiveness in the retail trade sector.”
1200 daily purchases
The CEO of Union Coop, Mohammed Al Hashemi, said, “(Cooperative) has provided innovative features through its smart application, the most important of which are video promotions, the ability to modify orders, and measure customer satisfaction,” pointing to more than 1,200 purchases daily through the store. And the smart cooperative website explained that the number of “Tamayoz” loyalty card holders exceeded one million customers, as of the end of last October.
. Union Coop receives 65 fruit and vegetable products daily through supply operations.
. Union Coop has 27 branches and eight commercial centers, and is studying expansion in the Emirate of Dubai.
. The quantity supplied to the “cooperative” from local farms ranges between 8 and 10 tons per day.
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