Dubai’s Farmers Market will be larger this autumn

Four new farms will join the Friday’s  farmers’ market this autumn, offering shoppers even larger variety of fresh produce.

The market is organized by Dubai’s café chain Baker and Spice and enjoys a great popularity among expats. This years autumn Friday’s  farmers’ market will offer fruits and vegetables from seven local farms located in Shirjah, Al Ain, Liwa, Al Khawaneej and in general from the Western Region. More farmers are  expected to join after the growing season begins for agriculture.

This will be the fourth season of the market and it is expected to start around the middle of November.

At present, the variety of seasonal produce includes wild rocket, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, aubergines and peppers.  After a few more weeks, shoppers will be also able to find products like cabbages, onions, broccoli, radishes and celery.

Interesting spicy additions to the farmers’ market are some organic Indian products like spices, rice, legumes and lentils.

The farmers’ market is accommodated at the Souk Al Bahar, right opposite of the Burj Khalifa.  Last February, a new venue debuted in the Marina Promenade which is opened on Saturdays.

A lot of the farmers who take part in the market also supply vegetables to the Union Co-op supermarkets. Their products are preferred by many shoppers since they are fresh and not pre-packaged.

However, not many of the local supermarkets promote the area’s produce successfully, because they simply display the products without offering much additional information.

Locals from the region are not that interested in buying local fresh produce, maybe because they do not see it as  do not see it a priority or they simply don’t care whether they consume healthy food or not. However, expats in particular from the Western countries,  regularly shop at the Friday’s market.

The farmers’ market will be open every Friday in the  Souq Al Bahar and every Saturday (9am – 1pm) in the Marina.