Elite Agro expects to produce 8,400 tonnes of potato this season. Photo: Elite Agro
Elite Agro expects to produce 8,400 tonnes of potato this season. Photo: Elite Agro
Elite Agro expects to produce 8,400 tonnes of potato this season. Photo: Elite Agro
Elite Agro expects to produce 8,400 tonnes of potato this season. Photo: Elite Agro

UAE

New UAE-grown potato variety goes on sale

Elite Agro, the company that brought local berries to the market, is now supplying a new type of potato grown at its farm in Al Ain

The National

March 30, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The company that brought UAE-produced berries to the market is now supplying a new variety of locally grown potatoes.

Four varieties of potatoes grown sustainably on a farm in Al Ain are now available at major shops across the country and online, it was announced on Wednesday.

Since 2014, the farm has been home to three varieties but this season a new variety called "sifra", known for its versatility, has gone on sale.

The 1,212 hectare farm is run by Elite Agro and it expects to produce up to 8,400 tonnes of potatoes this season. The potato-growing area spans 210 hectares.

Elite Agro says growing locally will save at least 468 tonnes of carbon emissions, when compared to how most imported potatoes are grown and transported to the Emirates.

“The new harvest season is a testament to our success as pioneers of sustainable farming in the UAE," said Abdulmonem Al Marzooqi, executive director of Elite Agro.

Four varieties of potatoes are grown at the farm. Photo: Elite Agro
Four varieties of potatoes are grown at the farm. Photo: Elite Agro

By growing four different varieties, Elite Agro can supply the UAE market with local potatoes for the next nine months.

“We continuously endeavour to bring new varieties that increase the accessibility of locally-grown, high-quality fresh produce to the UAE market," said Ian Summerfield, Elite Agro chief executive.

"In line with our commitment to promote local food security and sustainability, we are proud to pioneer sustainable farming practices that are beneficial to both our people and our planet."

This season’s potatoes were planted in October 2021 and are being harvested between March and April this year.

Elite Agro is already behind the UAE's only farm growing super-sized blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

The move aims to reduce farm-to-shelf delivery times and comes as the UAE bolsters its food security by producing more and more food, from oysters to lettuce, in the country.

Inside the UAE's only blueberry farm - in pictures

  • A picker holds blueberries at Al Foah Farm in Al Ain. All photos unless otherwise stated: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A picker holds blueberries at Al Foah Farm in Al Ain. All photos unless otherwise stated: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Huge greenhouses kitted out with water-based cooling systems house thousands of plants and bushes where the berries are in full bloom throughout their season.
    Huge greenhouses kitted out with water-based cooling systems house thousands of plants and bushes where the berries are in full bloom throughout their season.
  • Bumble bees imported from Europe help to pollinate thousands of berry bushes at Elite Agro’s Al Foah Farm.
    Bumble bees imported from Europe help to pollinate thousands of berry bushes at Elite Agro’s Al Foah Farm.
  • Abdul Fattah, farm manager at Al Foah.
    Abdul Fattah, farm manager at Al Foah.
  • A worker picking berries.
    A worker picking berries.
  • Crates of blueberries packaged for sale.
    Crates of blueberries packaged for sale.
  • The farm has 20 greenhouses for growing blueberries.
    The farm has 20 greenhouses for growing blueberries.
  • Raspberries grown by Elite Argo in a greenhouse at Al Foah Farm.
    Raspberries grown by Elite Argo in a greenhouse at Al Foah Farm.
  • Worker weighing and packing the blueberries at Al Foah Farm in Al Ain.
    Worker weighing and packing the blueberries at Al Foah Farm in Al Ain.
  • Ian Summerfield, chief executive of Elite Agro at the farm in Al Ain.
    Ian Summerfield, chief executive of Elite Agro at the farm in Al Ain.
  • Blueberries being grown in Elite Agro's greenhouse in Al Ain. Photo: Elite Agro
    Blueberries being grown in Elite Agro's greenhouse in Al Ain. Photo: Elite Agro
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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