Farmers' Souq: buy fresh goods direct from Emirati farmers at new Dubai market

Initiative launched by Dubai Municipality gives vendors a chance to sell everything from organic vegetables to home-grown honey

There's a new pop-up market in town. All photos: Anna Nielsen for The National

Dubai Municipality has recently launched a Farmers' Souq.

The market is a free platform that aims to gather Emirati farmers in one place to directly sell organic and local products.

The aim is to support local projects by providing all facilities necessary.

It will take place every Friday from 4pm to 11.30pm at Al Nakheel Park, until March.

Customers visit the inaugural Farmers' Souq on November 19.

Rashid Lootah is selling vegetables he grows at home in Dubai.

All the products sold are grown within the UAE.

A sample of the local produce available at the new Farmers' Souq.

Apart from fruits and vegetables, honey, cheese, camel's milk, herbs and dates are some of the products available.

There are also some speciality products that would otherwise be hard to find in stores.

Traditional products available include Emirati chami, camel milk and kahwa.

Visitors can also buy food from kiosks selling traditional Emirati dishes such as luqaimat and regag which are freshly made.

A vendor sells fresh food that can be eaten on the spot.

Vendors at the inaugural Farmers' Souq.

UAE-grown tomatoes and cherry tomatoes sold at the Farmers' Souq.

Home-made pickles sold at the Farmers' Souq.

The one-of-a-kind pop up market has been organised by Dubai Municipality and will take place throughout the cooler season.

Residents of the UAE can now get their hands on some unique and traditional products at a new pop-up market in town.

Dubai Municipality has just launched its first Farmers' Souq, taking place at Al Nakheel Park, also known as Palm Park, every Friday from 4pm to 11.30pm, until March. It is a free agricultural platform for Emirati farmers to sell their produce and wares, with the aim of supporting local projects.

The inaugural event was held on Friday. About 30 vendors gathered in the green space to sell a range of locally grown produce such as vegetables and fruits, honey, dates and herbs.

Other items visitors can expect to come across include some speciality products that would otherwise be hard to find in stores, such as Emirati chami, a home-made cottage cheese, kahwa (a traditional tea) powder, and fresh camel's milk.

Rashid Essa Lootah, of 3zbatkm, one of the vendors, says it’s an excellent initiative.

“For one year now, I’ve been selling my products, but only through Instagram,” says Lootah, who grows organic fruits and vegetables in Dubai. He takes pride in the yellow zucchini – rare for this region – and fresh cucumber, although his produce depends on the season. He also sells pickled vegetables.

Antaj 3zbtna, another vendor, sells a range of products from their farm in Al Ain, such as vinegar and honey, as well as dried lemon powder and chami.

The Farmers' Souq also includes kiosks where customers can pick up refreshments such as coffee or gelato. Or, in keeping with the overall theme, they can go the traditional route and purchase Emirati treats such as warm luqaimat, freshly made at the venue at one of the stalls and drizzled with sesame seeds and honey, or regag, also freshly-made on site.

The Dubai Municipality Farmers' Souq takes place every Friday, 4pm-11.30pm; until March; free entry; Palm Park (Al Nakheel Park)