Dubai feeds on imported fruits

Unfortunately however, all the fruits in the market are imported from mainly Bangladesh, India and other parts of the world including Kenya in Africa.One of the major fruits dealers in the market who spoke to Daily Trust, Alhassan Wandou, a Bangladesh national, said the market has a different section that deals in bulk sales of […]

Unfortunately however, all the fruits in the market are imported from mainly Bangladesh, India and other parts of the world including Kenya in Africa.
One of the major fruits dealers in the market who spoke to Daily Trust, Alhassan Wandou, a Bangladesh national, said the market has a different section that deals in bulk sales of fruits so as a retailer, he buys from the bulk section and resells at the retail section.
“Majority of those you see in the retail section of this market are from Bangladesh because most of the importers of fruits to Dubai and largely to some parts of the Emirate are from Bangladesh. We sell improved varieties of fruits here that can last for weeks without rotting. Our banana, water melon, oranges and other fruits can stay in our custody in the market for several weeks without changing colour, taste or anything.
“People coming to buy from us will never buy if the fruits do not look good and appealing. “Both the retail marketers and consumers of fruits in Dubai only buy and eat fresh and good looking fruits. The only fruit that is locally produced in the Emirate is date palm. Since I arrived the Emirate four years ago, I have never traveled out of this market even to Dubai town. But I am aware that there are some date palm plantations around the Emirate,” he said.
One of the farm estate managers in Dubai, Ismael, a Kenyan national, told Daily Trust that all farms including grasses and flowers meant for animal feed and decorations are irrigated, “In Africa, including my country Kenya, assorted grasses grow everywhere in the bush and even towns and villages. We pay people to cut off grasses back at home. In this emirate, government and the rich individuals and corporate bodies spend a lot of money to grow grasses around their houses, buildings and by the road sides.
“Except areas covered by the few rivers and other water content areas, other parts of the Emirate are covered by sand because of the total desert coverage of the country. Before you could plant anything, you have to excavate the sand, import soil and keep watering the plant or tree so long as it lasts. So, any grass or plant you see in the Emirate costs huge sums of money,” he said.