UAE retailer GMG, Silal sign MoU to drive collaboration in food sector

UAE-based retail conglomerate GMG has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Silal, to drive collaboration in the food sector by connecting consumers directly with farmers.

Through this agreement, GMG Consumer Goods division’s food retail portfolio will support up to 1,100 farms contracted with Silal to bring fresh local produce to consumers directly sourced from local farms.

The new partnership will accelerate GMG’s long-term vision to source 30 per cent of fresh food locally. Silal is part of Abu Dhabi-based holding company ADQ.

The first phase will cover over 30 product categories, and will initially be available at GMG’s Geant supermarkets. More products will be added in due course, and made available in other retail brands under GMG, including Monoprix and Franprix.

It gives us great pleasure that today we signed an MoU with @SilalUAE, in the presence of our Deputy Chairman and CEO, Mohammad A. Baker, and Salmeen Obaid Alameri, CEO of Silal, to drive collaboration in the food sector by connecting our consumers with farmers through @Geantuae. pic.twitter.com/ODryy41wmI

— GMG (@GMGVoice) December 7, 2022

“As a homegrown corporate venture, we have a responsibility to advance the local business ecosystem,” said Mohammad A. Baker, deputy chairman and CEO of GMG.

“We already partner with numerous local enterprises, bringing their products to millions of customers through our diversified retail network. The partnership with Silal enables us to support a critical pillar of the country’s socio-economic growth while contributing to key national objectives and allows us to fulfil our farm-to-fork vision.”

Eliminating the long journeys involved in food imports promotes eco-friendly food production, while contributing to UAE’s green agenda.

GMG is investing in food manufacturing which now operates six factories supported by an R&D kitchen and food laboratory. These facilities cover six product lines: meat, seafood, Himalayan pink salt, herbs and spices, cold cuts and butchery and marination, a statement said.

Recently, Géant announced a strategic partnership with the world’s largest vertical farm, Bustanica.

Read: Géant UAE partners with Bustanica, world’s largest vertical farm