Longtime agricultural entrepreneur Greenbridge, headquartered in Dubai, has been an active family-owned agribusiness for decades in the Middle East region. As a supplier of agricultural products, their portfolio includes seeds, animal feed, nutrients, as well as equipment. Serving customers across the region, including UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt.
Greenbridge is under the leadership of the Doughan brothers, Hassan and Omar. With a philosophy to operate as a sustainable business, with a keen eye for people, farmers, and the planet, they decided to expand their operations into greenhouse supplies. Mr. Hassan Doughan explains: “The future for vegetable production is indoors, in state-of-the-art greenhouses, or fully LED-light equipped indoor systems. Indoor grown produce is protected from the severe climate conditions in our region, such as heat, lack of water, and excessive sunlight. With the use of recycled irrigation water and artificial substrates, the need for fresh water can be reduced to approximately 10% of that used in open field production. By adding the right water-soluble fertilizers and micro-elements, crops such as tomato, pepper, eggplant, and cucumber can be grown exactly how the grower wants them to.” Greenhouse projects are on the rise throughout the region and the need for products by these facilities is growing. Being aqcuainted with the challenges the region is facing and having built a portfolio of quality products as well as having internal expertise to support local farmers and growers achieve better results in producing food locally, GreenBridge decided to partner with Benfried International in The Netherlands.
Being a family-owned business also serving greenhouse growers for close to 75 years, the expertise at Benfried is impressive when it comes to horticultural supplies. “When we were approached by GreenBridge, this fitted our business strategy to work with partners in various countries and regions perfectly,” says Fred van Veldhoven of Benfried. “Rather than opening up our own facilities, we prefer to team up with local companies who know the market circumstances like no other” It’s a local for local approach. Fred continues: “Moreover, both being family businesses, a partnership with GreenBridge fits like a glove. The developments in the Middle East region are impressive in all economic sectors and horticulture is no exception. The investments that are being done to feed the growing population of the region are significant, to say the least, and we as Benfried are delighted to be able to be part of these developments”.
Long term vision
With the restrictions due to the corona virus outbreak probably acting as a catalyst to set up local food production facilities, the vision of local governments and entrepreneurs is focused on the long term. Quality food grown locally brings prosperity and healthy communities. It creates independence and stability. Hassan: “The challenges are there, but with our local presence and our network we can act fast and effectively. Growers will be impressed by Benfried’s portfolio of over 30.000 products in stock and professional team providing the needed support”. The new business partners value the importance of efficient logistics exceptional client experience, and look ahead to working together and becoming an appreciated supplier of horticultural supplies in the Middle East. “Being in this business on an international level, we are ready for the task. So, contact us and find out how we can sustain your business” concludes Omar with a smile.
For more information:
Greenbridge
Business Center Logistics City
Dubai Aviation City
P.O.Box: 390667, Dubai UAE
info@greenbridge.co
www.greenbridge.co
Benfried International BV
Hooipolderweg 1
2635 CZ Den Hoorn
+ 31 (0) 15 2622738
export@benfried.com
www.benfried.com