Russian company begins deliveries of “vegetable meat” to the United Arab Emirates

One of the largest food companies in Russia, “IFCO”, began to supply “vegetable meat” to retail chains in the UAE, in general, sales of this product are growing at an average of 30% per year.
Sergey Ivanov, CEO of the company, told Sputnik: “To date, we are talking about 45 stores of large local cooperative chains such as “Al-Ittihad” and “Aswaq”, and we are supplying burgers, minced meat and meatballs of the brand Hi!. Now we are talking about trial sales. In July-September, based on the results a decision will be made to expand the geography and squad.”
According to him, the company is actively developing the export of vegetable products, including to the Middle East. “In Russia, we have to explain why vegetarian meat is promising, and why food technology for alternative proteins and lipid biosynthesis has a future. There is not even such talk in the Middle East. Food security is a national priority there.”
“The company’s total exports grew last year by 75%, exceeding $1 billion for the first time,” Ivanov added.
He noted that it is planned to open a biotechnology plant near Dubai, which will make it possible to obtain fats and proteins quickly, but for the time being, the company is actively working on offering its products to local consumers. “In June, we held vegetable meat tasting sessions in Dammam, and in Sharjah, we organized a tasting for the family of the ruling sheikh. We received pre-orders from representatives of the director of IFFCO Arab Catering Company.”
In general, sales of plant products are growing at a high pace, according to Ivanov. “We are growing by about 30% annually,” he said. According to him, the company continues to develop its activity and has not frozen its investment program.