Mohamed Al Sadah, Hassad CEO
Today marks three years since the Arab quartet imposed an illegal blockade on Qatar. During the pre-blockade era, the country was depending on foreign countries to meet an estimated half of its domestic food supplies demand. The blockade years witnessed Qatar’s heavy investments in food production and technology that helped the country emerge as one of the highest-ranked countries in food security in the region.
The abrupt closure of borders prompted significant private investment in Qatar’s own food industry; domestic production has reportedly increased four-fold since the blockade was introduced. Hassad, Qatar’s premier investor in food sector announced an expansion in the company’s investment portfolio during the blockade years. This expansion included funding the development of central markets, to create integrated marketing platforms, as well as establishing a number of local companies, in addition to acquiring shares in major international food businesses, to support the needs of the local market and to contribute in achieving food security for the State of Qatar.
In 2018, Hassad established Mahaseel for Marketing and Agri. Services Company to support the local farmers by marketing their produce, with the aim to increase the quantity and enhance the quality of local produce, as well as ease the burden of the marketing process.
Mahaseel’s successfully marketed 15 million kilos of vegetables during the current agricultural season. It currently markets 30 different vegetable variety in the local market, through 44 hypermarkets outlets around the country. Moreover, 200 local farms are registered with Mahaseel, to benefit from the marketing and agricultural services provided to them.
Hassad also funded the development of the three new central markets in A’Sailiya, Al Wakra & Um Salal, as well as established “Aswaq for Food Facilities Management” to manage the markets, in order to satisfy the needs of the producer, trader and consumer. All three central markets are air-conditioned, to preserve the quality of products during daily auctions and showrooms, as well as provide a suitable shopping environment for consumers.
Furthermore, Hassad invested around QR100m in the local fodder sector over the past years, through Alaaf Qatar (a subsidiary of Hassad) - which was established in 2017, to support the local livestock sector by supplying and producing green fodder, vitamins and salts to the local market in suitable quantities and prices.
In a statement issued on the occasion of Qatar’s third year of its illegal blockade by a few neighbouring countries, Mohamed Al Sadah, Hassad CEO, said the company has plans to invest QR200m in the fodder sector over the next three years, to develop 15 additional new pivots on 1,200 hectares, to produce 25,000 tons of green fodder annually, to contribute in achieving self-sufficiency.
As for the poultry sector, Hassad developed and expanded the operations of the “Arab Qatari Company for Poultry Production — Al Waha”, which the company owns 46 percent in it and supervises on its operations. Al-Sadah explained that post blockade, Hassad developed an expansion plan that consists of two phases of operations, in order to develop Al Waha’s operations and increase its production.
As for the international investments, Hassad advanced its investment strategy and acquired shares in major international food businesses like, Sunrise Foods International, as well as its investment in downstream seafood sector in “Global Seafood Company” in Oman. Additionally, Hassad owns shares in other investments in Oman like “A’Saffa foods”.
Al Sadah said: “On the first day of the blockade, Hassad was tasked with supplying the local market with the needed strategic products in a tight timeframe. We immediately started coordinating with more than 10 countries, and the first shipment arrived to the local market on sixth of June, following that day, Hassad supplied the local market with shipments via airfreight daily, and through sea, land-sea routes. During peak days Hassad supplied the local market with more than 1000 tonnes of fresh vegetables and dairy products on a daily basis”. He confirmed that the company is prepared to take on any task assigned to the company at any time.
