Dubai Times All About Dubai
DATS Group, a European leader in fresh, essential, and premium food distribution, today announced a major strategic partnership with Golden Eagles UAE, a leading regional facilitator of global trade and market expansion. The collaboration was formally unveiled at an exclusive corporate event held at the Palazzo Versace Dubai, attended by top industry executives, key buyers, and global producers.
A Partnership Aligned with UAE’s Trade Vision
This alliance reflects a shared commitment to reliability, quality, and long-term growth — principles that align closely with the UAE’s ambition to strengthen its role as a global trade hub. With this partnership, DATS Group expands its footprint in Dubai, bringing a business model based on direct producer relationships, certified quality standards, and real-time logistics capabilities.
The timing is significant: the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region currently imports around 85% of its total food needs, due to limited fertile land and scarce water resources.
In the UAE specifically — where approximately 83.1% of food consumption is sourced from abroad (as of 2023) — efficient, transparent, and high-standard supply-chain solutions are increasingly critical.
By combining DATS Group’s European sourcing and production standards with Golden Eagles UAE’s deep regional knowledge and distribution network, this partnership is designed to deliver traceable, high-quality products that meet the expectations of GCC consumers while contributing to food-security and supply-diversification strategies.
Expanding Excellence — Serving a Growing Market
DATS Group brings to the table a global network of more than 150 producers, proprietary production infrastructure, and dedicated quality teams across multiple continents. This enables year-round supply, consistent volumes, and carefully curated premium selections — attributes especially suited to GCC markets’ demand for variety, freshness, and reliability.
Their timing is strategic: the GCC’s total food-import volume in 2024 reached an estimated 35.19 million metric tonnes (MT).
Within that market, demand for fresh produce — including fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods — has been rising sharply. For example, in 2024, vegetable imports into GCC registered roughly 2.4 million tonnes, with the UAE alone accounting for about 1.1 million tonnes (≈ 46% of total).
By combining DATS Group’s supply reliability and quality assurance with Golden Eagles UAE’s local logistics, distribution expertise, and regulatory know-how, the partnership aims to meet and anticipate the region’s growing demand for fresh, premium foods.
Golden Eagles UAE’s role as a central operational and strategic platform — managing import/export compliance, logistics, and B2B sourcing — creates a seamless bridge between global producers and regional buyers. This makes it possible to deliver on-time, certified-quality food products across the UAE and the broader GCC region.
Official Statements
Dina Gomes, CEO | DATS Group
“Today marks an important chapter in our journey. This partnership with Golden Eagles UAE reflects our shared belief that excellence is built through trust, proximity to production, and continuous innovation. Together, we are expanding opportunities not only for buyers but also for producers around the world — ensuring that quality, reliability, and consistency arrive in the UAE without compromise.”
Miguel Gomes, Sales Manager | DATS Group
“Dubai is a market that demands the absolute best. And this partnership allows us to deliver exactly that. From essential staples to exclusive premium selections, we are committed to sourcing the most exceptional products globally while maintaining full traceability, certified standards, and innovative supply-chain solutions.”
Maria Mokienko, Co-Founder & COO | Golden Eagles UAE
“Together with DATS, KEO World and Monarché, we are creating a new standard of reliability and performance in the region’s trade sector.”
Through this combined ecosystem — involving DATS Group, Golden Eagles UAE, KEO World, and Monarché Investment Bank — the UAE strengthens its position as a global hub for premium food trade, logistics, and international sourcing, supporting long-term food-security goals and supply-chain diversification.
Why This Matters — Strategic Impact
With the GCC importing the vast majority of its food (≈ 85%), partnerships that offer reliable access to global producers while maintaining high standards are essential to regional food security.
The GCC food-import market now exceeds 35 million MT annually, presenting a sizable and growing opportunity for well-structured, high-quality supply chains.
Rising demand for fresh produce (vegetables, fruits, etc.) — as seen by nearly 1.1 million tonnes imported by UAE alone in 2024 — reflects evolving consumer preferences toward freshness, variety, and quality.
By leveraging DATS Group’s international sourcing and Golden Eagles UAE’s regional distribution, the partnership helps mitigate supply-chain risks and supports the UAE’s broader aim to cement its role as a food-trade hub.
About DATS Group
DATS Group is a European food-distribution leader with over 15 years of expertise in fresh produce, essentials, and premium food categories. With logistics hubs in Europe and the UAE, the company guarantees certified quality, traceability, and reliable delivery — guided by its motto: “Deliver what you need, when you need it.”
In Dubai, DATS Group’s mission is clear: bring the world’s finest food products to a sophisticated market that values excellence, transparency, and consistency.
