Mawasim Organic Trading L.L.C Company was established to provide the freshest and healthiest 100% organic produce to customers across the UAE, A wide selection of fruits and vegetables, herbs, bread, dairy products, meat, and grocery items suiting the unique tastes and needs of environmentally responsible and health-conscious customers is available under the Mawasim brand. We asked them about their opinion on the organic industry.
In your opinion, how popular is the organic industry in the UAE and the Middle East?
Demand for organic food is growing rapidly in the UAE and the consumers are willing to pay higher prices for certified organic food, as they have become more health conscious. Larger Emirati households are also more willing to pay for organic food than non-Emiratis, as their communities are still connected with their traditions & ethnicity.
-Why, in your opinion, do people prefer buying organic nowadays?
Non-organic, chemical and GMO-intensive food (so-called “conventional” food) is the number one cause of deteriorating public health among adults and children, including obesity, diabetes, cancer, antibiotic resistant infections and heart disease. By contrast, organic foods and products, especially raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and grass-fed meat and animal products, are safer, healthier and more sustainable than the chemical-intensive, genetically engineered, highly processed (laced with sugar, salt and unhealthy fats) junk foods that make up the bulk of the U.S. diet.
-How do you determine the products to sell in this market?
Organic products offering are not selective any more, as this is becoming a life style. it started with food and is now growing, to personal care & hygiene, bedding & towels and clothing. These need to be offered at the local market with a wider selection to assure that it is delivered to a larger clientele.
-Any other facts you might want to add about the natural/organic industry?
With respect to all opinions there is different between a 100% organic product & natural products and the current legislations have doesn’t grantee the limitations of chemical & other non-natural substance products get exposed to on natural products which needs to be addressed as it defies the meaning of the word its self.
Interviewed by Menaka Ramakrishnan, Buyer Manager
menaka@organicandnatural.com