United Arab Emirates

Potato cultivation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although constrained by the country’s arid climate, limited water availability, and generally poor soil quality, continues to play a role in the nation’s agricultural development, largely driven by innovation and scientific research.

In 2023, potato farming in the UAE covered approximately 49 hectares, yielding around 1,288 metric tons, with an average productivity of 26,110.7 kg per hectare.

Cultivation efforts are primarily concentrated in areas with advanced agri-infrastructure, notably in Abu Dhabi, including Al Ain and the Western Region, where protected agriculture systems and research facilities are in place.

The sector is actively supported by institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). These organizations are instrumental in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, focusing on the introduction of resilient, high-performing potato varieties suited for desert environments, along with water-efficient technologies to improve productivity under harsh conditions.

Although official sources do not specify the exact varieties cultivated locally, the UAE’s potato sector relies heavily on the importation of seed and table potatoes from countries like Egypt, Pakistan, Syria, Lebanon, and India to sustain domestic production and meet consumption needs. In addition to meeting local demand, the UAE also functions as a key re-export hub for potatoes within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, reinforcing its strategic role in regional food trade.

The development of potato cultivation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a relatively recent advancement, emerging as part of the country’s broader agricultural transformation during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Historically, the UAE did not engage in large-scale potato farming due to its harsh desert climate, scarce water resources, and limited availability of fertile land. However, the landscape of agriculture began to shift significantly in the 1970s and 1980s, driven by substantial government investment in irrigation infrastructure, agricultural research, and targeted subsidy programs aimed at enhancing local food production.

Within this context, potatoes were introduced as a high-potential crop under controlled and irrigated environments. Cultivation activities were primarily concentrated in regions equipped with advanced farming systems, such as Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. Despite these developments, the UAE continues to rely heavily on imports to meet its domestic potato demand.