In the UAE, food has become strategic. It influences decisions across agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and national resilience. At Al Ain Farms Group, this is evident every day in our farms, factories, laboratories, and partner networks. It’s in these places where the UAE’s long tradition of innovation continues to guide how we develop products that honour our heritage while meeting the needs and ambitions of a growing nation.
Much of our work today hinges on innovation that makes everyday nutrition better and more accessible. Just one example from this year is our collaboration with Finnish food tech company FoodIQ, which allows us to produce clean-label dairy and plant-based products using less energy and water, while keeping recipes simple and closer to their natural form. It responds to a growing expectation for food that is straightforward in its ingredients and transparent in how it’s made.
We’re also going deeper into categories where the UAE has the potential to lead. Camelait’s first introduction in Europe is another example. Made from 100 per cent camel milk sourced here at home, Camelait merges decades of local expertise with the technical strength of our partners in Belgium and Germany. Camel milk is gaining attention globally for its digestibility and nutrient profile, but for us, the achievement is in the science and know-how that allows a UAE-made formulation to meet European expectations without losing its identity.
Of course, innovation only works when it stands on reliable foundations. That’s where manufacturing plays a critical role. Across dairy, poultry, juice, and eggs, we’ve been investing in our lines and upgrading how we track and monitor quality. Our integrated farm-to-shelf model delivers freshness within 24 hours, and that standard informs every operational decision we make. Resilient food systems are assembled locally, through the skills of our teams and the practices that protect the resources we depend on. This ensures innovation can thrive while earning trust over the long term.
What ties all this together is partnership, which remains one of our most important tools. We collaborate with local producers, universities, regulators, and international specialists, each contributing unique strengths. But we also work with young people – the next generation of students, early-career scientists, creators, and emerging talent who challenge our assumptions and widen our perspectives. Our recent Eid Al Etihad collaboration with Emirati artist Mariaam Al Obeidli, for example, resulted in limited-edition bottles that became a story of national creativity and pride. Partnerships like these, especially when they elevate local talent, show how food will always connect us to the communities we serve.
The unification of Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy, Al Ajban Chicken, Al Jazira Poultry’s Golden Eggs, and Saha Arabian Farms has also given us new collective strength. We form a national champion with the diversity and capability needed to serve our local communities while expanding responsibly beyond them. It allows us to advance science-led nutrition and create products anchored in tradition while embracing modern dietary needs.
The year 2026 will continue to be about science, manufacturing, and partnerships. We’ll keep investing in R&D while working alongside established experts and the next generation of innovators. We are also actively assessing a number of AI applications to be implemented in 2026, which will further enhance our capabilities across the value chain. In doing so, we aim to continue contributing to the foundations that make UAE-made food trusted at home and welcome abroad.
