Latest news with #AAFG
Mid East Info
16-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Al Ain Farms Group and Finland's FoodIQ Join Forces to Bring First-of-its-Kind Food-Tech to MENA - Middle East Business News and Information
UAE becomes first country after Finland to industrially adopt breakthrough MLC technology for high-quality dairy and plant-based production. • Agreement introduces MLC technology for clean-label manufacturing — enabling efficient, sustainable, and consumer-friendly food production. • The partnership boosts AAFG's innovation and R&D capacity to accelerate product development, support local manufacturing, and drive rapid market growth. Al Ain, UAE,June 2025 – Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG), the UAE's largest national provider of protein and beverages,has signed a strategic joint development agreement with Finnish food-tech innovator FoodIQ to bring cutting-edge food manufacturing technology to the region for the first time. This partnership marks the first major public milestone for AAFG since its recent formation, signaling a bold new chapter in local food innovation. Under the agreement, AAFG will be the first company in the world to implement FoodIQ's patented Multi-Layer Cooker (MLC) technology on an industrial scale outside Finland, enabling the UAE to locally produce a new generation of clean-label, natural, and high-protein foods. 'At Al Ain Farms Group, our mission is to deliver quality, innovation, and sustainability for the future of food,' said Hassan Safi, Group CEO of AAFG. 'This collaboration not only puts the UAE on the global map for food-tech adoption – it also empowers us to rapidly meet growing consumer demand for healthier choices while using local ingredients. It is a milestone moment for our Group' The MLC is a smart, modular food manufacturing system designed for flexible-batch production that can seamlessly switch between different high-viscosity recipes – from yogurt to plant-based milk, cheese, and protein smoothies – all while preserving the nutritional value of real ingredients with no additives, no preservatives, and with significantly reduced energy use, water consumption, and minimal production waste. Founded in 2015, FoodIQ is a pioneer in flexible food production for health-conscious markets. Its MLC machine is already in use at its global R&D center in Finland and trusted by leading Nordic food companies for flexible-scale productions. The AAFG collaboration now brings this innovative technology to the UAE with three product ranges expected within six months, followed by broader scale-up into both dairy and plant-based categories. 'We're proud to bring our MLC platform to the UAE with a partner that truly shares our values,' said Robert Savikko, CEO of FoodIQ. 'Together with AAFG, we're not just introducing new technology – we're setting a new benchmark for clean-label, sustainable food manufacturing, built on quality, transparency, and innovation.' The signing took place at one of Al Ain Farms Group site location, Marmum Dairy's facilities in Al Ain. The event was attended by senior leadership from AAFG and FoodIQ, and representatives from Business Finland, underscoring the strong bilateral ties between the UAE and Finland. The ceremony included a guided tour of the facilities, a presentation of the MLC technology, and a tasting session of clean-label products made possible through the new platform. The agreement directly supports the UAE's Food Security Strategy 2051, the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, and Net Zero 2050 – advancing scalable, efficient, and sustainable local food manufacturing aligned with national goals. This partnership reinforces AAFG's growing role as a regional R&D leader in functional, natural foods, and contributes to the UAE's emergence as a global hub for sustainable food-tech innovation.
Mid East Info
21-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Al Ain Farms Group Launches as UAE's National Food Champion, Strengthening Local Production and Regional Reach
Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG) unites five leading UAE dairy, poultry, juice and egg brands Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy, Al Ajban Chicken, Al Jazira Poultry Farm's Golden Eggs, and Saha Arabian Farms under one group, with a shared ambition to be the region's leading provider in protein and beverages. Backed by both Ghitha Holding and Yas Holding, AAFG aims to contribute to the UAE's food security, industrial innovation, and self-reliance objectives in line with UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051. AAFG has outlined a five-year roadmap to scale operations, drive innovation, and boost national production. Abu Dhabi, UAE – May, 2025: In a landmark moment for the UAE's food production and industrial sectors, Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG) was officially launched at the 'Make it in the Emirates' Forum 2025. The announcement brings together five of the country's most iconic dairy, poultry, juice and egg brands — Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy, Al Ajban Chicken, Al Jazira Poultry Farm's Golden Eggs, and Saha Arabian Farms — under a single, united banner. Backed by Ghitha Holding, a publicly listed conglomerate spanning agriculture, food production and distribution sectors, and Yas Holding, a renowned Abu Dhabi-based, multi-industry investment company, AAFG brings decades of operational strength to serve as a national platform focused on protein and beverages, with the scale and vision to serve broader regional needs. This historic consolidation is a significant milestone in a journey that began in 1981, when the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan established the farm with 200 cows – bringing, for first time in the nation's history, access to fresh milk for its people. What started as a single dedicated entity serving the nation has evolved into a unified group of trusted UAE brands, expanding to meet growing regional demand for high-quality protein and beverages. Today, that commitment to self-reliance has transformed into a national pillar of food sovereignty—one that is rooted in legacy, driven by purpose, and built for global impact. HE Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Chairman of AAFG, said the launch of AAFG marks an important step in the UAE's long-term food strategy, as outlined by the nation's Food Security Strategy 2051 and National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, to become a regional hub for operational excellence and innovation. 'Al Ain Farms Group reflects the UAE's ambition to lead the region in quality, sustainability, and innovation deeply rooted in our national identity. What began with the humanitarian vision of the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed, to nourish communities in the UAE has grown into a national mission of excellence on par with global standards of quality, shaping food — advancing food security, contributing to our industrial strength, and the food systems of tomorrow for all generations to come,' he said. Issa Najeeb Khoory, Deputy CEO of Ghitha Holding and Board Member of AAFG, said that the new group will propel the UAE's food production capabilities into a bold, new future. 'Ghitha's investment in Al Ain Farms Group is a vote of confidence in the UAE's food resilience. We believe in building integrated, future-ready platforms that deliver long-term value to the nation — and AAFG, as a newly consolidated entity, stands at the forefront of that strategy.' Low Ping, Group CEO of Yas Holding stated that 'At Yas Holding, we are proud to support the formation of Al Ain Farms Group, building on our deep-rooted commitment to advancing the UAE's food production sector. This strategic move reflects our ongoing mission to empower key industries that deliver impactful solutions for the people of the UAE. We are confident that Al Ain Farms Group will lead the way in transforming the future of food, not just in the country but across the region.' 'This is more than growth — it's transformation. We're combining the scale of our operations, the trust of our brands, and decades of expertise to create a stronger, more agile food group across the UAE and beyond,' said Hassan Safi, Group CEO of AAFG. 'The consolidation brings the best of each brand under one unified umbrella — delivering the highest quality, efficiency, and standards to better serve our customers and lead the market.' He continued: 'Our priority is to deliver wholesome, high-quality, accessible nutrition to every home in the UAE — and extend that impact through collaborations with leading partners in integrated production, advanced R&D, and automation. We're not just responding to demand — we're setting a new standard for capability, care, and resilience in the region's food sector.' Through the union, AAFG aims to boost local production capabilities and strengthen a self-sustaining food ecosystem. The Group has outlined a five-year roadmap focused on scaling operations, driving product innovation, and expanding its contributions to national food security. AAFG currently holds a significant share of the UAE dairy and poultry market – and is focused on growing its presence across both categories. This scale is matched by impact. AAFG is investing in cutting-edge product development — from sugar free products and excellence in camel milk development to next-generation alternative proteins. But beyond innovation, the Group is reinforcing its leadership in sustainable food production, including recyclable packaging, water recycling and fully integrated local supply chains that reduce import dependency and strengthen regional food resilience. With clear expansion ambitions across the region and beyond, AAFG represents the emergence of a proudly Made in the UAE platform — one that goes beyond inherited infrastructure to build something the nation can truly be proud of. In the face of challenging desert conditions, AAFG reflects the UAE's relentless drive for excellence, delivering food systems that meet global standards and advance the country's reputation as a leader in food innovation. About Al Ain Farms Group: Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG) is a national protein and beverages brand, delivering wholesome, high-quality, and accessible nutrition across fresh dairy, poultry, juice, and eggs. Operating across a fully integrated farm-to-shelf model, AAFG ensures freshness within 24 hours — supporting the UAE's food security goals with products made locally and trusted regionally. The Group brings together five of the UAE's most trusted names in food production: Al Ain Farms – Founded by the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed, a pioneer in the UAE dairy industry and one of the largest integrated dairy and poultry companies in UAE Marmum Dairy – One of best-known brands in dairy, especially with its yoghurt category Al Ajban Chicken – One of the UAE's first and most technologically advanced fresh poultry producers Al Jazira Poultry Farm Golden Eggs – Home of the iconic Golden Eggs, known for traceability and innovation Saha Arabian Farms – A regional egg producer with operations across the UAE and Saudi Arabia AAFG is part of Ghitha Holding PJSC, and backed by Yas Holding LLC, two UAE-based investment groups driving national self-sufficiency and sustainable food systems.
