Category: blogs2

Riyadh just got a little crunchier.

Rockit Apples continues its regional momentum with a high-impact in-store sampling campaign at Spinney’s Riyadh, activating across three premium locations — La Strada, Kfad, and U-Walk.

Recently, our brand came face-to-face with shoppers in these high-footfall destinations. This campaign aimed to deepen local market presence and introduce Rockit’s crisp, ready-to-eat apple to on-the-go snackers in the Kingdom.

📍 The Experience

At each Spinney’s location, our in-store brand ambassadors created a memorable shopper experience by offering free samples of Rockit Apples, educating consumers on the product’s premium quality, portability, and natural sweetness.

Engagement highlights included:

• Smiles and instant feedback from first-time tasters
• A clear consumer preference for healthy, ready-to-eat snacks
• Visual storytelling through branded sampling counters, retail signage, and live demonstration

🔗 Why Spinney’s?

Spinney’s Riyadh locations were strategically chosen for their upscale, high-traffic positioning — ideal for Rockit’s premium snacking proposition. These activations are part of our continued efforts to localize the brand experience while maintaining consistency across global markets.

🎯 Results That Matter

• 3 locations activated in 3 days
• 250+ samples delivered directly to target consumers
• Increased brand awareness and retail engagement in a growing GCC market
• Shopper conversations that extended beyond the store and into brand advocacy

🚀 What’s Next?

The success of this activation builds on our earlier campaigns in Saudi Arabia and sets the stage for expanded presence across the region. As the appetite for better snacking grows, so does the Rockit brand — one crunchy bite at a time.

Stay tuned as we bring more fresh experiences to more cities.

#RockitApples | #SpinneysKSA | #SaudiRetail | #InStoreActivation | #SnackSmart | #MarCommInAction

NRTC Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of Ripe Organic, a well-established homegrown brand within the UAE’s organic food segment. This acquisition represents a strategic enhancement of our portfolio and supports our long-term objective of expanding our presence in the fast-growing organic food category.

The integration of Ripe Organic’s product portfolio, private-label offerings, and digital assets strengthens NRTC Group’s capability to deliver certified organic products at scale. This development aligns with evolving consumer preferences for clean-label, sustainably sourced food and enables us to serve a broader range of customers across e-Commerce, B2B Retail, HORECA, Food Services and other B2B Channels.

The acquisition also reinforces our commitment to supporting local agriculture and improving supply chain resilience. By expanding our partnerships with UAE farms and enhancing operational efficiencies, NRTC Group is well-positioned to capture increased market share in the organic segment and deliver greater value to our stakeholders.

As the UAE continues to prioritise food security and sustainability, NRTC Group remains committed to contributing meaningfully to a robust and future-ready food ecosystem. This acquisition reflects our focus on strategic growth, category leadership, and the continued expansion of our fresh and organic product capabilities.

NRTC proudly participated in Clean UAE 2025, the 24th edition of the Emirates Environmental Group’s (EEG) flagship national sustainability campaign. This year’s initiative, held under the esteemed patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, continues to strengthen community engagement and environmental responsibility across the nation.

On Saturday, 6th December 2025, the NRTC Team gathered at the Half Desert in Bur Al Ruwayyah, Dubai, joining hundreds of other volunteers from government entities, private organisations, academic institutions, and local communities. Together, we took part in a large-scale cleanup activity focused on collecting, sorting, and removing waste to help restore and protect one of Dubai’s natural landscapes.

 

A Nationwide Sustainability Movement

Clean UAE is more than an annual campaign — it is a nationwide movement that embodies collective action. Designed to unite communities across all seven Emirates, the initiative plays a key role in supporting the UAE’s broader environmental goals and its vision for a sustainable, climate-resilient future.

In 2024, the campaign attracted over 83,000 volunteers and removed more than 43,000 kg of waste, with the majority successfully diverted for recycling. This year’s continued efforts aim to build on that momentum, mobilising even more individuals and organisations to make a meaningful environmental impact.

NRTC’s Commitment to Sustainability

As a leading name in the fresh produce industry, NRTC remains committed to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices. Our participation in Clean UAE 2025 reflects our continued dedication to:

• Supporting community-driven environmental initiatives
• Promoting the protection and conservation of natural ecosystems
• Encouraging eco-friendly habits within our workforce and local community

By joining hands with national partners and volunteers, we aim to contribute to a cleaner, and greener UAE for the future generation.

Moving Forward

Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and initiatives like Clean UAE serve as vital reminders of the impact we can create when we act together. NRTC is proud to be part of this collective movement and will continue to support activities that foster environmental awareness and action.

Together, we can build a more sustainable tomorrow — one small step, one cleaner space, and one community effort at a time.

The United Arab Emirates has long been at the forefront of innovation—transforming desert landscapes into global hubs and investing in technologies that redefine possibilities. Among the most promising advancements in recent years is vertical farming, a modern agricultural method that could play a key role in ensuring the nation’s food security and sustainability.

The UAE currently imports between 80–90% of its food.  This is driven by limited arable land, scarce freshwater resources, and harsh climate conditions. Traditional farming faces steep challenges in this environment. Vertical farming provides an alternative by growing crops in controlled indoor environments using hydroponics and aeroponics. These systems can produce food year-round, with up to 90% less water compared to conventional agriculture, making them particularly well-suited to the region.

The opportunities ahead are significant. Vertical farming directly supports the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051 by reducing reliance on imports and enhancing local production. It also represents an important frontier for innovation.  Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and renewable energy are being increasingly integrated into farming systems to make them more efficient and sustainable. Beyond large-scale production, vertical farms are also finding applications within cities themselves. Modular units are being installed in hotels, supermarkets, and residential communities. This urban integration not only shortens supply chains but also brings consumers closer to the source of their food. There is also potential to build an export market for premium, locally grown produce tailored to regional demand.

Nevertheless, several challenges remain. Vertical farming requires high initial investment and significant operating costs. Energy demand continues to be a concern, though greater use of renewable energy is helping to offset this. The variety of crops that can be grown in vertical farms is still somewhat limited, but ongoing research is gradually expanding the range. Just as importantly, the industry will require a skilled workforce in agritech, automation, and data-driven farming in order to scale sustainably.

Looking ahead, vertical farming is poised to become a pillar of the UAE’s food ecosystem. The country’s commitment to sustainability, combined with increasing public–private collaboration and global investment, provides a strong foundation for growth. By embracing innovation and fostering partnerships, the UAE is moving closer to creating a self-sufficient, climate-resilient ecosystem. The journey is still at an early stage, but vertical farming stands as one of the most vital steps toward a greener and more food-secure future.

#VerticalFarming #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #AgriTech #Innovation #SmartFarming #FutureOfFarming #GVF2025 #GlobalVerticalFarmingShow #NRTC #NRTCFresh #UAE