New Tomato Farm in Al Ain to Produce 150,000 Kgs of Fresh Tomatoes Annually, Strengthening UAE’s Local Food Production

Developed by UNS Farms, the facility aims to boost local tomato supply and food security.

• Smart farming technology enhances yields while reducing water consumption by up to 90%.
• Fresh produce is now available directly to consumers through UNS Farms’ online platform.
• For retail and HORECA clients, an optimized supply chain enables delivery within 24–48 hours, helping preserve freshness and reduce waste.

In a global environment where supply chains continue to face disruption and uncertainty, the UAE is further reinforcing its commitment to expanding local food production. This aligns with the country’s long-term strategy focused on food security, sustainability, and greater self-sufficiency. As part of this national direction, UNS Vertical Farms has launched a new high-tech tomato farming facility in Al Ain, strengthening the UAE’s agricultural resilience and supporting its vision for sustainable food systems.

Developed by UNS Vertical Farms, a subsidiary of UAE-based Speedex Group, the newly established facility spans 10,000 square metres and is designed to produce approximately 150,000 kilograms of fresh tomatoes annually. The project aims to enhance the availability of locally grown produce and support a more stable and predictable supply chain. It also reflects a broader shift toward advanced agricultural solutions that prioritize quality, freshness, and year-round production, meeting demand from both households and the HORECA sector.

As global attention increasingly turns toward food resilience and local production capabilities, this initiative aligns closely with the UAE’s national priorities. UNS Vertical Farms contributes to these objectives through the use of advanced controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) systems, integrating hydroponics with IoT, artificial intelligence, and data-driven technologies. The result is a highly efficient and precisely managed farming environment.

Within the facility, a network of advanced sensors continuously tracks key growing conditions, including temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels, lighting intensity, and nutrient distribution. These inputs are processed through centralized control systems that coordinate climate regulation, irrigation scheduling, airflow management, and evaporative cooling within a unified automated platform. This integrated structure ensures optimal growing conditions at all times, improving productivity, reducing resource consumption, and maintaining consistent product quality across harvest cycles.

The farm produces a carefully selected range of premium tomato varieties, including cherry and bunch tomatoes. All produce is non-GMO and grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Unlike imported products, which are often selected for durability during long transportation, UNS Farms focuses on delivering superior taste, freshness, and nutritional quality tailored specifically to UAE consumers and market expectations.

A key feature of the operation is its direct-to-consumer (D2C) distribution model, allowing customers to place orders through www.unsfarms.com. In addition, the farm’s streamlined logistics network ensures that fresh produce reaches retail shelves, restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses within 24 to 48 hours of harvest. This rapid distribution system helps preserve freshness, extend shelf life, and minimize food loss across the supply chain.

“Food security today goes beyond availability, it is about building a resilient, sustainable, and future-ready UAE food ecosystem,” said Mehlam Murtaza, Director of UNS Vertical Farms. “This facility reflects our commitment to supporting the UAE’s national vision by delivering consistent, high-quality produce grown locally with precision and care.”

Beyond its agricultural output, UNS Farms demonstrates how advanced technology is transforming food production in the UAE. The facility operates independently of seasonal limitations and extreme weather conditions, overcoming challenges typically associated with traditional farming in arid environments. Through its advanced systems, water usage is reduced by up to 90 per cent, reinforcing its position as a sustainable and resource-efficient model aligned with the UAE’s environmental goals.

Such initiatives play an important role in strengthening domestic supply chains, improving food quality standards, and ensuring reliable access to fresh produce for communities across the country.

With more than three decades of presence in the UAE, Speedex Group continues to expand its contribution alongside the nation’s development. UNS Vertical Farms highlights the growing role of the private sector in supporting key national strategies, including the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the Net Zero 2050 initiative.

Through continued investment in innovation, sustainability, and local production capabilities, the farm represents a forward-looking approach to building a resilient, self-sufficient, and future-ready food ecosystem in the UAE.

About UNS Farms:
UNS Farms, established in 2018, a division of Speedex Group, is a UAE-based agritech company driving the future of sustainable urban agriculture through advanced vertical farming and innovative hydroponic production systems. Operating a controlled-environment facility in Dubai spanning nearly 8000 square metres, the farm produces up to 1,500 kilograms daily of fresh, pesticide-free herbs, microgreens, salads, and edible flowers using data-driven technologies. With its expansion into a 10,000-square-metre greenhouse in Al Ain, UNS Farms continues to strengthen its contribution to local food production and food security. The company also provides farm consultancy services, supporting the modernization of agricultural systems. In addition, UNS Farms has developed a strong local ecosystem, offering a wide range of fresh and organic produce, including fruits, vegetables, salads, herbs, edible flowers, microgreens, as well as milk, poultry, and meat products, available through its website www.unsfarms.com, ensuring quality, freshness, and accessibility across the UAE.

Photo credit: UNS Farms.

Source: UNS Farms.