Fresh vegetables from China are appearing on supermarket shelves in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, just 48 hours after being harvested, ensuring maximum freshness and meeting local demand in the vegetable-import-reliant country.
At a local supermarket, shelves are packed with fresh Chinese farm produce, reflecting growing imports of cool-season vegetables from China.
With its desert climate, high temperatures and humidity, especially in summer, the UAE is not well suited for large-scale production of leafy greens.
In recent years, Chinese vegetable imports have become an essential supplement to the local supply.
A manager at the Dubai supermarket said that the entire cold-chain process - from harvesting in China to shelf display in Dubai - is completed within 48 hours, maintaining the freshness of the produce.
"Our customs clearance department collects the goods from the airport and delivers them to our warehouse within four hours. Within another two hours, we will distribute the vegetables to all our stores across the UAE. Throughout the year, Chinese vegetables account for about 60 percent of our total vegetable sales here," said Zhou Qiang, head of fruit and vegetable procurement at Wenchao Group.
While enriching daily meals, Chinese cool-season vegetables are also adding flavor to the UAE's dining scene.
Hadi, a Dubai restaurant owner who once worked in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, from 2008 to 2011, said he was drawn not only to the city's history but also to the unique taste of Chinese vegetables.
After returning home, Hadi opened a restaurant that now features several Chinese dishes on the menu.
Among them, stir-fried Shanghai bok choy has become a top seller.
"We don't [didn't] know about this [vegetable before], so now because of China, now we know bok choy. And many people are using bok choy, because of this. We get a lot of compliments not only from Chinese customers but also from foreigners. They really, really like bok choy," he said.
Fresh Chinese vegetables well received on Dubai supermarkets
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
