Green Queen Gulf Vol.4

Welcome to the fourth edition of Green Queen Gulf, powered by NUOS.

A very Happy New Year to you all and welcome back to Green Queen Gulf - it’s our fourth edition already.

As we step into 2025, the Gulf region is set to emerge as a powerhouse for investments, venture capital, and startups, as it looks to reshape its economic landscape beyond oil dependency. A new report suggests GCC countries will see growth of 4.4.% this year, mostly thanks to non-oil sectors.

The GCC's strategic focus on sustainable agriculture positions it as a key player in the climate agrifood sector. With initiatives aimed at enhancing food security through innovative agricultural practices, the region is not only addressing its own food production challenges, it’s also contributing to global climate resilience efforts.

Robust government initiatives, favorable regulatory environments, and a surge in private sector investment - VC activity has quadrupled in recent years, particularly in technology and climate-conscious sectors - have created a thriving ecosystem for innovation.

All this to say: 2025 looks very bright for agrifood founders in the Gulf! We are looking forward to keeping you informed on all of it.

Due to the New Year holiday, this edition was sent a few days later than usual. Vol.5 will be in your inbox on February 2.

Remember, if you like what you read, share it. 

Regional Roundup: Top Agrifood News

Each month, we'll bring you our roundup of the top news from the region, from funding to new product launches and climate initiatives. Highlights this month include an AI-powered greenhouse, the Riyadh Action Agenda, and a land-based fish farm in Abu Dhabi.

Riyadh-based startup Calo raised $25 million Series B funding to expand its customised ready-to-eat meal service beyond the Middle East. Focused on meal personalisation for segments like weight loss, high-protein diets, and specific health conditions, Calo aims to cater to customers seeking convenience and tailored nutrition. With the meal delivery market in the region projected to reach $11.2 billion by 2030, Calo is leveraging this growth to innovate and acquire a UK-based food startup as part of its international expansion plans.

Saudi Arabia's UNCCD COP16 Presidency launched the Riyadh Action Agenda, a two-year initiative to mobilise state and non-state actors in addressing land degradation, desertification, and drought. By transforming agri-food systems, promoting soil management, and mobilising state and private actors, the initiative reflects Saudi Arabia's focus on building resilience to environmental challenges.

In the UAE, similar priorities are driving innovation in food production and sustainability. Emirates Development Bank has provided AED1.12 billion ($305 million) in financing for agritech and food production businesses, reinforcing its commitment to achieving the National Food Security Strategy 2051. Programs like Plant the Emirates aim to cut imports, boost local farm output, and reduce agricultural waste through climate-smart solutions.

The UAE’s National Food Safety Committee is also working to enhance food control systems, emphasising collaboration between federal and local entities to implement the 2024–2026 action plan. The committee met in December, to continue its aim of ensuring food safety across the value chain, supporting the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and protecting public health nationwide.

NEOM’s food company, Topian, has opened its first high-tech greenhouse in Oxagon, piloting AI-driven, climate-resilient agriculture. Producing fresh, high-quality local food year-round while conserving energy and water, the project showcases how technology can redefine farming in arid regions.

Further advancing food security, ADQ has partnered with Finnish aquaculture firm Finnforel to develop a land-based fish farm in Abu Dhabi. Using sustainable recirculating aquaculture systems, the facility will reduce seafood imports by producing high-quality rainbow trout in a zero-waste environment.

Saudi Arabia inaugurated the Center of Excellence for Salmon Production in Hail, the largest project of its kind in the Middle East, with a capacity of 100,000 tons annually. This facility supports sustainable development, food security, and applied research in inland aquaculture, aligning with Vision 2030 goals to boost local fish production. Similarly, the ongoing Truffle Festival in Sheri, Qassim, highlights Saudi Arabia’s agricultural and culinary heritage. The 10-day event promotes the prized desert delicacy “faage” while boosting the local economy by featuring truffles from over 15 farms.

These domestic efforts are complemented by international initiatives. Saudi Arabia’s Food Security Support Project 2024-2025, launched in Pakistan, highlights its humanitarian commitment to strengthening food systems in the region. Additionally, Saudi Minister of Industry Bandar Alkhorayef’s visit to Egypt focused on boosting trade and collaboration in food and pharmaceuticals. With discussions on supply chain localisation and advanced technologies, the visit underscored shared goals for increased productivity and regional development.

Her Excellency Eng. Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi’s visit to Dubai Industrial City during the UAE's Planting Week ties these themes together, showcasing the country’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and partnerships. Collaborations with businesses like Sokovo Nature Farms reflect how local initiatives can advance both environmental preservation and economic growth.

Dubai’s innovative spirit is also evident in the newly launched drone delivery service, unveiled by Sheikh Hamdan. This initiative complements broader sustainability efforts, offering a cutting-edge logistics solution to reduce environmental impact while aligning with Dubai’s vision for smart cities and resilient supply chains.

Gulf City Spotlight: Kuwait City

We’re zoning in on the Gulf’s twelve largest cities by population size, and each month we will be sharing three interesting agri-food facts about one of them. This month, we’re focusing on Kuwait City, the capital of Kuwait, home to 4.9 million people (as of 2024), and over 16,000 restaurants (as of 2021); that’s about one restaurant for every 306 people.

• Approximately 90% of Kuwait's land is considered not agriculturally viable due to harsh climatic conditions and water scarcity. The primary agricultural areas are located in Wafra (south), Al-Abdali (north), and Al-Sulaibiya (center), encompassing about 141 million square meters and hosting around 2,880 farms. This means that Kuwait relies heavily on imports for its food supply, and has led to innovative solutions in food security and agricultural practices. 

• Kuwait's history as a maritime trading hub has introduced a fusion of Arabian, Persian, and Indian culinary influences, enriching its food culture with diverse flavours and cooking techniques. The country’s national dish, Machboos, is a fragrant rice dish cooked with basmati rice, seasoned with a blend of spices, and typically served with chicken or mutton.

• One of the oldest markets in Kuwait City, Souq Al-Mubarakiya has been a center of trade for over 200 years. Vendors offer a variety of goods, including dates, honey, spices, sweets, vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish. The market also features traditional cafes and restaurants serving authentic Arab and Persian food.

Gulf Genius Bar: Robert Kupstas

We’re tapping Gulf ecosystem insiders to share their favourite things in food and ag across the Gulf. This month, we hear from Robert Kupstas, entrepreneur and technology consultant with extensive experience in the infrastructure and controlled environment agriculture sectors and Co-founder of Pure Harvest Smart Farms and Ocean Harvest LTD.

Navigating the Risk Capital Landscape: The Gulf’s risk capital market for foodtech and agtech startups is still emerging, with just a handful of early-stage venture capital firms actively pursuing opportunities in the space including Global Ventures, Venture Souq, and KBW Ventures, all of whom have successfully invested in innovative agrifood startups in the past. For growth-stage companies, options are broader, but heavily focused on institutional players like ADQ in the UAE and SALIC in Saudi Arabia, both of which align with national food security and economic diversification goals. Entrepreneurs should tailor their pitches to fit the investment mandates of these key players while showing regional scalability.

Aligning with National Impact Agendas: Gulf-based investors prioritize businesses that contribute significantly to national impact metrics such as GDP growth, job creation, and local technology ecosystem development. This is because much of the capital is government-affiliated and aligns with political strategies like Saudi Vision 2030 or the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy. Founders should highlight how their innovations align with these strategic priorities, emphasizing regional relevance and transformative impact, to increase their attractiveness to investors.

Proving Feasibility and Regional Relevance: The GCC investment ecosystem is inherently risk-averse, preferring to fund concepts with proven, localized success rather than ideas that work only in other regions—having an operational presence or pilot project in the region is a significant advantage. Entrepreneurs should focus on setting up demonstration projects on the ground to showcase their technology’s feasibility and adaptability to the unique challenges of the Gulf, such as arid climates and water scarcity. Building trust through local partnerships and real-world examples is crucial to unlocking larger investment commitments.

Our Pick of Events & Ecosystem Highlights

The 2nd Global Summit on Food Science & Technology’s theme will be Feeding Innovation: The Nexus of Food Science & Technology. It’s happening in Dubai on 3rd-5th March; find out more here.

Don’t miss the International Conference on Sustainable Agricultural and Environmental Development in Hamad Town, Bahrain on 12th - 13th March 2025, where you will find a dynamic platform where industry professionals and academics can come together to exchange ideas and discuss the latest developments. Learn more here.

The 28th International Conference on Food Technology & Processing will take place on 24th-25th March in Dubai. Get more details here.

Also on 24th and 25th March, but in Kuwait, will be the International Conference on Food Science, Nutrition and Technology. Sign up here.

The Saudi Food Manufacturing Summit is taking place from 13th-15th April 2025 to help transform the landscape of the kingdom’s F&B manufacturing industry. Learn more here.

Good Read: Oliver Wyman’s latest report, Market Pulse 2024 — Grocery Retail Trends in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, reveals key insights into consumer behaviour and trends in these markets. Check it out here.