Some Trading Groups Reluctant to Sell Local Products, ADFCA says

Abu Dhabi, February 8, 2011: Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has called upon all trade centers and sales outlets selling vegetables and fruits to strengthen the sale and marketing of local products. The Authority said proper display and promotion of local farm products was an important step in achieving better food security for the country.

While appreciating the role of several companies in promoting local products as a viable and healthy alternative to imported products, the Authority noted with regret that some companies were apparently still reluctant to accord local products the display and prominence that they deserved for obvious reasons.

Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said the promotion of local products in the markets in the country was not a mere emotional imperative, but the best guarantee for a better food security situation in the country. "Several tests done by our laboratories confirmed that local vegetables and fruits are on par with the best of imported products in terms of quality and nutrition. Besides, they are fresher than the imported products as the time gap between production and sale is considerably less, plus they have a edge over others in terms of price" he pointed out.

"We are working with some of the larger groups to promote local products in the markets in the country. We will shortly release the names of the groups that are fully cooperative in this regard as a gesture of appreciation and gratitude. We are proud that the products from Abu Dhabi's farms are as good as or even better than the imported products available in the markets. Our claim is based on scientifically conducted tests and studies, which are verifiable," Al Reyaysa stressed.

Al Reyaysa said that the Authority was working closely with the Farmers' Services Centre to ensure that there are effective marketing channels for local products in the emirate. "The reluctance of some groups to promote local products is one major challenge. The other is the misconception prevalent among sections of the consumers that the imported products are qualitatively better than the local ones. As the government authority in charge of food safety and agriculture that oversees every aspect of the food chain from the farm to the fork, we are convinced that the market forces should accord local products the importance and acceptance that they deserve," he asserted.

Drawing attention to recent examples, Al Reyaysa said the people in the Western Region relied totally on local products during the past Eid Al Adha in the Western Region. "Our intension is not to cast doubts about the imported products. We are committed to the principles of free trade and an open market. The neglect of and lack of attention to local products actually violate those principles. We seek the cooperation of all in this regard," he concluded.