Olivasland Announces Official Debut in the UAE to Bring Premium Tunisian Extra Virgin Olive Oil to a Growing Market

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Olivasland

Olivasland, a new premium extra virgin olive oil brand, is officially launching in the UAE market, introducing a product rooted in family heritage, rigorous quality standards, and a commitment to authenticity. Founded by entrepreneur Wasif Hameed, the brand brings Tunisian olive oil directly from a family-run farm, offering consumers an organic oil that, Hameed highlights, maintains a low acidity level and a distinct flavor profile.

The company's origins trace back to Hameed's family connection to Tunisia. When his brother visited Tunisia with his wife, originally from Tunisia, and discovered a family's expansive olive farm, he experienced a quality of olive oil he had never tasted before. Hameed notes the farm operated without commercial branding. "They aren't associated with any particular brand, so they export in bulk to other countries where it gets rebranded," Hameed explains. Recognizing an opportunity, the duo launched their first olive oil brand in Saudi Arabia, where Hameed managed the digital and technical operations. After the COVID-19 pandemic, when things slowed down, he looked for opportunities for growth elsewhere, which led him to the UAE.

According to Hameed, relocating to the UAE has opened new possibilities. Hameed saw a much larger and more competitive market, one that, in his view, could welcome a rigorously tested, transparent, premium alternative. "I wanted to start the same thing here with full ownership, and the UAE market has such vast potential," he notes.

International standards classify extra virgin olive oil by acidity level. For example, the EU standard maintains that the acidity level must not exceed 0.8%. Hameed studied the UAE market closely and noticed a gap. He says, "We've created our oil keeping these standards in mind, with an acidity level less than 0.5 percent," he says. "Our independent tests of the freshly bottled oil recorded acidity as low as 0.32 percent. That was something we had never seen before."

Olivasland

Hameed notes that the olives are handpicked directly from the family farm and processed at a factory that exports to Europe and the US and practices international standards. He emphasizes the transparency of the process. "We see our product with our own eyes, from the farms to the factory and the bottle," he notes. "We've engineered the oil to be raw, clean, and balanced, so that people can even sip it. The goal is to maintain the best quality of the oil."

Olivasland currently operates B2B, with consumer access available through e-commerce platforms. Hameed's long-term vision includes opening flagship shops in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where the brand will offer its olive oil exclusively. The company also plans to expand into the US market in partnership with an American associate.

Over the next few years, Hameed intends to broaden Olivasland into a wider platform for organic imports. He is already exploring partnerships to bring select natural products, such as a US-based, additive-free energy drink, to the UAE under exclusive rights.

With its upcoming launch, Hameed looks forward to Olivasland's entry into what he believes can be a competitive regional market. With a clear focus, the brand seeks to deliver traceable, premium-quality olive oil while educating consumers through authenticity and consistent quality, empowered with the goal to bring the taste of Tunisia to every home in the UAE.

Business News

How to Write a Business Plan

Learn the essential elements of writing a business plan, including advice and resources for how to write and conduct each section of your business plan.

Marketing

April 21 Is Your Last Chance for Mobile Optimization Before 'Mobilegeddon'

The search giant is currently working on a major algorithm change that will revolutionize the way mobile friendliness is determined.

Leadership

Revolutionizing Proptech: Haider Ali Khan, CEO of Bayut and dubizzle, and CEO of Dubizzle Group MENA

Born from a mission to redefine real estate through technology, Bayut sparked a movement that evolved into the global proptech and classifieds leader, Dubizzle group — and today, we go back to understanding the homegrown powerhouse that started it all.

Marketing

The Quickest Way to Deliver Your Message? Make It Visual.

Infographics, dashboards and mobile apps provide a direct avenue to our brains. Use them to your advantage.

Starting a Business

College Startup Offers a Creative Approach to Banish Boring Presentations

Instead of boring slides with bullet points and clip art, Big Fish creates presentations that tell stories and resonate emotionally with viewers.

News and Trends

International Fashion Brand Maison D'AngelAnn Secures US$2 Million Investment From A Private Family Office In The UAE

The newest round of funds follows Maison D'AngelAnn's $7 million investment in November 2020 from The Gate Business Services, a UAE-based investment and real estate consultancy, which also saw it also acquire a majority stake in the business.