ADQ Collaborates With Aqua Development To Launch Pilot Shrimp Farming Facility In KEZAD

ADQ is collaborating with Aqua Development, a South Korean aquaculture start-up, to assess the potential of land-based shrimp farming in the UAE. They plan to develop a pilot facility to test new agricultural systems and patented solutions. This initiative is co-funded by ADQ’s Growth Lab, which focuses on innovation and research to drive growth opportunities.

The pilot facility will be situated in KEZAD’s aquaculture zone, equipped with specialised infrastructure and utilities. The agreement between ADQ and Aqua Development aims to explore shrimp cultivation onshore by replicating their natural habitat using aquatic biology and innovation. This method could enhance shrimp growth efficiency compared to traditional labour-intensive methods.

Aqua Development's patented solution offers a modular, nature-based approach that reduces costs while increasing productivity up to ten times more than both traditional and modern systems. Advanced filtration systems recycle water, boosting production rates but requiring significant investment. If the pilot succeeds, production will scale significantly, marking a milestone for local shrimp production in the UAE.

Mansour AlMulla, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at ADQ, stated, "By leveraging advanced technologies and cutting-edge agricultural systems, this collaboration has the potential to enable sustainable and economically scalable local shrimp production, contributing to meeting the demand for one of the UAE's most consumed and nutritionally dense seafood products while reducing reliance on imports."

Doohyun Lee, CEO of Aqua Development, expressed enthusiasm about contributing to food security in the UAE. He said, "ADQ is leading the way toward significant milestones in food security and sustainable food production in the UAE, and we are honoured to contribute to this effort. Our ambitions in the UAE are substantial, as we aim to collaborate closely with ADQ and local stakeholders to replace a significant portion of seafood imports with locally produced alternatives by implementing innovative, sustainable, and economically viable aquaculture solutions."

Through its portfolio companies, ADQ is enhancing sustainable agriculture by adopting advanced technologies for local production and distribution of essential foods both domestically and globally. This initiative aligns with their goal of strengthening the nation's agricultural footprint.

The collaboration between ADQ and Aqua Development represents a step towards sustainable shrimp farming in the UAE. By focusing on innovative solutions and scaling production efficiently, they aim to reduce import reliance while meeting local demand for seafood.

With inputs from WAM