Green Queen Gulf Vol.5

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

While some countries are worried about tariffs and trade disputes, the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency is being viewed by pundits as a promising development for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, offering an opportunity to strengthen strategic ties and enhance regional stability.

The region is especially well-positioned to lead on climate tech innovation with substantial financial commitments from the region’s leaders, a business-first approach and the savviness to prioritize supply chain resilience in a post 1.5C reality.

Further, the strides being made in renewable energy will likely prove essential for bolstering agrifood security given that a good chunk of the emissions gains of new food technologies come from having clean power sources.

Onwards!

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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 Dubai as an influencer hub, tackling soil pollution, and the Middle East’s largest “livestock city”.

The UAE has made a groundbreaking leap in renewable energy with the launch of the world’s first facility capable of delivering uninterrupted clean power at scale. Combining 5 gigawatts of solar capacity with 19 gigawatt hours of battery storage, the $6 billion Masdar-led project will generate 1 gigawatt of continuous energy by 2027, addressing a major challenge in renewable energy and reinforcing the UAE’s global leadership in sustainability.

Sharjah is also advancing its sustainability agenda with the establishment of Girass Agricultural, a new company directed by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. Focused on producing organic fruits and vegetables and managing a greenhouse project in Al Dhaid, this initiative highlights the region’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and food security.

Saudi Arabia’s KAUST has furthered the region’s climate leadership by winning the prestigious Japan Prize for its innovative work on marine ecosystems and blue carbon. This achievement highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental stewardship and aligns with Vision 2030’s focus on sustainability and cutting-edge research.

In a bold move to boost food security, Saudi Arabia unveiled a SAR9 billion ($2.4 billion) plan to develop the Middle East’s largest “livestock city” in Hafr Al Batin. The renewable energy-powered facility will meet 30% of the nation’s red meat demand while integrating advanced systems for livestock farming, feed production, and meat processing, marking a major stride in sustainable agriculture.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia is making major strides in food security with its expansion of high-tech poultry farming across desert regions like Shaqra, transforming its arid landscapes into hubs of sustainable food production. As part of Vision 2030, this initiative aims to meet 80% of the country’s domestic poultry demand by 2025, reduce reliance on imports, and create jobs in the agricultural sector.

In water security, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has invested AED 7.5 billion in over 85 global projects, including Bahrain’s Al Dour network and Jordan’s Kufranja Dam. Speaking at the recent MENA Water Financing Forum, ADFD called for innovative solutions to tackle the region’s water scarcity, where demand is projected to outstrip supply by 40% by 2030.

Abu Dhabi is also tackling soil pollution through a new resolution from the Environment Agency, which regulates risk assessments, mitigation, and site rehabilitation. This effort safeguards natural resources and promotes sustainable land management as urban development intensifies.

Kuwait is making strides in economic reform with plans to implement taxes on harmful commodities. The initiative, part of a broader push to diversify revenue streams, underscores the region’s efforts to build sustainable, oil-independent economies.

500 Global is energising the Middle East’s tech ecosystem with its 500 MENA fund, backed by Saudi public entities, targeting startups in SaaS, fintech, and AI. While global venture funding rose 3% to $314 billion in 2024, Middle Eastern funding fell 29% to $1.5 billion, reflecting challenges in deal sizes despite increased activity in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Finally, Dubai, the third most-visited city in the world, is solidifying its role as a global hub for business, tourism, and influencer-driven content. This cultural and digital influence reinforces the Gulf’s rising prominence on the global stage.

Gulf City Spotlight: Doha

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 Doha, the capital of Qatar, home to around 1.5 million residents (as of 2024), and around 1,500 restaurants (as of 2021); that’s about one restaurant for every 1,000 people.

• Qatar's agriculture sector is projected to reach approximately QAR 812 million (USD 223.1 million) by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from an estimated QAR 623 million (USD 171 million) in 2024. Qatar has already achieved 100% self-sufficiency in fresh poultry and dairy products, reducing its reliance on imports and enhancing food security.

• Located near Doha, the Rawdat Al Faras Agricultural Research Station, established in 1976, plays a crucial role in advancing agricultural practices in Qatar. The station focuses on research related to palm trees and other crops suitable for the country's arid climate. 

• Doha has a rich history of producing date syrup, a practice dating back to at least the 17th century. The syrup was traditionally obtained using a date press called "madabis" and served as a vital energy source for locals, especially pearl divers.

Gulf Genius Bar: Arva Ahmed

We’re tapping Gulf ecosystem insiders to share their favourite things in food and ag across the Gulf. Arva Ahmed is the founder of UAE-based Frying Pan Adventures, the GCC's first food tour company, which she has been running with her sister since 2013. In 2024, she launched Ditch the Silver, a YouTube channel aimed at creating awareness and excitement around the multicultural food richness of the Gulf and beyond. She champions simple, authentic food with cultural roots, using her platform to highlight the stories and traditions behind the dishes. Here, she shares one of her favorite kitchenware artisans, the best Abu Dhabi bakery and a must-visit place for homemade Keralan food in Dubai. 

Earth & Ethics, Dubai: Earth & Ethics is a small startup run by Faiza, who is from Tamil Nadu, India. She sources ethical, sustainable kitchenware from artisans in India, with a lot of thought and research behind her products. I’ve stocked up on her handmade soapstone pots, which are great for setting creamy yogurt or storing salt, and her cast iron cookware, like dosa pans and mini pancake pans. I also love her coconut shell spoons. It’s not just about sustainability—cooking in her cast iron equipment genuinely improves the results, whether it’s a dosa or something else.

Al-Khabbaz Bakery, Abu Dhabi: This Palestinian bakery specializes in Ka’ak Al-Quds, Jerusalem-style bread. You can smell the sweetness of the bread as soon as you step out of your car. They make a smoked egg sandwich with chili paste, za’atar, cream cheese, and Palestinian olive oil—it’s simple but exceptional. I also keep their pantry items stocked at home, like figs stuffed with walnuts and drenched in olive oil, and their high-quality za’atar. You can’t leave without trying their sandwiches.

Liz’s Home Kitchen, Karama Dubai: This unassuming restaurant is run by twins Matthew and Jacob, whose mother is from Kerala. They serve vegetarian banana leaf meals for 15 dirhams, which include sambar, vegetables, pickles, and chutneys, all made in-house. It’s simple, home-style food that transports you straight into someone’s kitchen in Kerala. Their breakfast dosas are excellent, and the meals are all-you-can-eat, with rice and sides constantly replenished. For the price and quality, it’s a hidden gem.

Our Pick of Events & Ecosystem Highlights

Don’t miss Food Security SummitX 2025 on May 28th-29th in Dubai. Designed to drive impactful change, the event will welcome over 1,000 attendees, 300+ companies, and 70+ expert speakers to discuss cutting-edge solutions for today’s most pressing food security challenges. Sign up here.

Saudi Agriculture, taking place October 20th-23rd, covers agriculture, food, aquaculture, packaging, and agro-industry sectors, and is recognised as the region's most significant B2B event in the agriculture sector, showcasing leading technologies and solutions. Learn more here.

As the largest F&B sourcing event in Riyadh, The Saudi Food Show brings together global food and beverage brands, industry leaders, and professionals to explore the latest trends, innovations, and business opportunities in the food sector. It’s happening May 12th-14th; register here.

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.