Sundrop Farms sets up ME headquarters in Dubai

Sundrop Farms has announced the launch of its presence in the Middle East region following a successful funding round with global investment firm KKR for the international development of Sundrop’s arid climate agribusiness.

The round also saw a significant investment in its landmark project in the South Australian desert near Port Augusta, which Sundrop intends to replicate in the Middle East and North America.

The regional headquarters, based in the Dubai International Financial Centre, will be led by Managing Director and Middle East Head Khuram Maqsood and is supported by the Sundrop team of project development, construction and greenhouse operations experts.

Maqsood is an investment professional with significant experience of the Middle East region.

Sundrop Farms grows crops in state-of-the-art glasshouses using a unique proprietary technology developed to address the water and food security issues typical to arid regions.

The Sundrop System uses solar power to create the heat, electricity and desalinated water needed to feed and power Sundrop’s growing operations.

This eliminates much of the need for groundwater and fossil fuels to produce its vegetables, which include pesticide-free, carbon-neutral tomatoes, capsicums and cucumbers.

Sundrop has already spent considerable time in the Middle East region, talking to parties in the public and private sectors who have interests ranging from sustainability and food security to investment.

Maqsood said: “Sundrop’s unique approach to growing vegetables in arid climates is highly complementary to the solutions GCC states are looking at in terms of food security, water security and the environment. Sundrop’s commitment to the triple bottom line -- economic, environmental and social sustainability – is the right approach for the Region and we look forward to reinforcing relationships with a select group of strategic partners as we expand our presence here.”

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