During the warm winter months, many tourists visit Dubai. In these months, demand for fruit and vegetables is higher. Part of the population escapes the blistering heat in the summer months. “We have noticed demand decreasing, but not everyone is able to go on holiday. There’s also demand from retail and wholesalers in summer,” Hadi says.
Shadi Abu Snineh, Syed Moin uddin and Hadi R. Abuseedo.
Global import
“Dubai has a solid market,” Hadi says. “Our company is unique because we are active in various sectors. We supply to retail, wholesalers, the processing industry and re-export.” The import company was founded in 1973. The third generation is now at the helm. “We have much experience and some of our relationships with suppliers and customers are 40 years old.”
The company imports a broad assortment of fruit and vegetables from all corners of the world. “Asia, Latin America, Europe, North America, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia,” Hadi sums up several important import partners. By doing so, he practically mentions the entire globe. “We import by boat from all over the world.” Citrus, bananas, apples and pineapple are the frontrunners in the importer’s broad range.
Dubai: gateway to the Middle East
The increasing competition from European companies that see the Middle East as a potential market, aren’t a direct threat. “That import is mostly done via air freight, we only import via seaborne freight, so that’s not competition,” Hadi says. Dubai functions as a turning table for trade to the Middle East, although that also depends on the country of origin. “The flow of trade depends on geography and the speed of transport,” Hadi explains. “If Dubai is the first port, then the city is a turning table, but from, for instance, Europe, other ports could be quicker.”
Abuseedo exports part of the products to countries in the region. About 40 per cent of the trade is shipped directly to other markets. Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Jordan are some destinations for the fruit and vegetables.
Immature market
In recent years, a wave of consolidation has swept through the sector. Small and mid-sized companies are in trouble increasingly often. “Customers import directly more often, that has consequences for the entire sector. Some companies can’t stay afloat,” Hadi says. “It’s important to guarantee customers they’re getting a good product of good quality.”
Avocados and blueberries are on the rise in the Gulf states. “Although the market isn’t quite mature enough,” Hadi continues.Food service and some retailers are willing to pay the price for these products, but a large number of players on the market are looking for cheap alternatives. “Kenya, for example, instead of Spain and Argentina,” Hadi exemplifies. The limited supply of ripened avocados also shows that the market is still fully in development. For example, there are hardly any ripening chambers. “We want to keep our position as a trader, so we’re not investing in ripening chambers, that is the job of our customers,” Hadi concludes.
For more information:
Abuseedo Trading
Hadi R. Abuseedo
T: +971 4 320 0808
E: hadi@abuseedotrading.com
W: www.abuseedotrading.com