Latest news with #AndreaSartoris
Arabian Business
19-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai fine dining boom drives record demand for local UAE oyster producer Dibba Bay
Dibba Bay Oysters, the UAE's premier aquaculture operation, is experiencing unprecedented demand growth driven by Dubai's rapidly expanding fine dining sector and wealth migration into the Emirates, according to company executives. The Fujairah-based producer, which currently commands approximately 55 per cent of the UAE oyster market, has benefited significantly from the recent surge in high-end restaurant openings across the region. This comes as Dubai has seen a remarkable rise in new fine dining establishments over the past two years, with international luxury restaurant chains entering the market and homegrown brands expanding abroad. The city has rapidly evolved into a global culinary destination, attracting prestigious restaurant brands from around the world while nurturing local concepts that are now finding success in overseas markets. Andrea Sartoris, who assumed the role of General Manager at Dibba Bay in January, has observed this transformation firsthand. During the first five months of 2024 alone, over 1,500 new food establishments opened in Dubai. By mid-2024, the total number of food establishments in the emirate stood at 26,000, according to Gulf News, with globally reputable chains entering the UAE market in record numbers. Founded in 2016, Dibba Bay has grown to employ nearly 95 staff and operates multiple offshore concessions in Fujairah waters. The company reports that 75-80 per cent of its local sales come from the hospitality sector, with the remainder through retail channels including Spinneys, Waitrose, and Carrefour, as well as direct-to-consumer options through food delivery aggregators like Talabat and Careem. Wealth migration Dubai's explosive growth in premium dining establishments has created fertile ground for luxury food products. This surge corresponds directly with the UAE's strategic positioning as a safe haven for global wealth, attracting ultra-high-net-worth individuals from Europe, Russia, and Asia. Since 2022, the UAE has seen one of the world's highest net inflows of millionaires and billionaires, with Dubai alone welcoming thousands of new wealthy residents, bringing sophisticated palates and expectations for world-class dining experiences. 'A lot of restaurants, mainly fine dining restaurants, are trying to stress more premium seafood products,' Sartoris explained. 'Oysters definitely are the core of this category where they can upsell. The oyster is considered a lifestyle product, so several restaurants are trying to add this type of product to their menu to increase the average bill — even those whose core is not seafood.' This trend has proven particularly beneficial for Dibba Bay, which has seen demand surge in parallel with Dubai's restaurant boom. 'We've definitely seen an increase in demand from establishments in Dubai,' Sartoris confirmed. Freshness advantage Dibba Bay's unique selling proposition centres on freshness, with the company delivering oysters to customers within 24 hours of harvesting—a stark contrast to imported alternatives. 'If we look at international products like French oysters, it usually takes time. There is air freight, there is a massive cold chain. Usually international oysters are already three to five days old when they arrive here, and the shelf life of the oyster is only 10 days,' Sartoris explained. This freshness advantage has proven crucial for high-end restaurants where quality and consistency are paramount. With deliveries three times weekly throughout the UAE, Dibba Bay ensures that even the most demanding chefs receive product at its peak condition. The company has also observed an interesting correlation between oyster and caviar demand. 'Usually when there is caviar, there is also oyster,' noted Sartoris. 'There are no restaurants that serve oysters but don't have caviar in their menu.' This connection has further cemented Dibba Bay's position within Dubai's luxury dining ecosystem, as chefs increasingly pair the two premium items on their menus. For the emirate's growing population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals — many of whom hail from Russia and other regions where caviar is particularly revered — these pairings represent the pinnacle of gastronomic indulgence. From pearls to premium oysters Dibba Bay's success represents a modern evolution of the UAE's maritime heritage. Long before oil transformed the UAE into a global powerhouse, pearl diving formed the backbone of the coastal economy, with divers plunging into the warm Gulf waters in search of natural pearls for royalty and aristocrats worldwide. When the cultured pearl industry and the Great Depression delivered a crushing blow to this trade in the early 20th century, many feared the Emirates' maritime expertise would be lost to history. Dibba Bay has now repurposed this aquatic knowledge for luxury seafood production. 'When Dibba Bay Oyster brand was launched, offshore aquaculture in the UAE was largely uncharted territory,' Sartoris noted. 'A lot of people were not aware oysters could thrive in these waters.' Sustainability focus The local production model offers significant sustainability benefits. 'Our farming methods are 100 per cent natural,' said Sartoris. 'We don't use feeding, no chemicals, and we don't use fresh water. Our oysters are always in seawater.' Each oyster filters up to 170 litres of seawater daily, meaning that with millions of oysters in the water, they collectively filter millions of litres per day, improving ocean health and supporting marine conservation. The company has implemented a reef restoration project that repurposes discarded oyster shells. 'We are recollecting the shells from venues, bringing them back to the farm, curating them to ensure there are no bacteria, then putting them in cages deployed in particular areas near Dibba where we are restoring the reef,' Sartoris detailed. Faster growth, international expansion A key advantage for the UAE producer is the significantly faster growth cycle of their oysters — nine to eleven months compared to three years for European varieties — thanks to the warm Gulf waters. 'When the meat is younger, it's definitely better. That's why our taste is unique, and the abductor muscle, which is what people cut to open the oyster, is more crunchy,' Sartoris stated. Despite this quality advantage, challenges remain in consumer perception. 'A lot of consumers still think that local farms are considered less expert than international farms,' Sartoris said. 'We want to change this mindset.' Beyond the domestic market, Dibba Bay has begun expanding internationally, with 20-25 per cent of its production now exported to markets including Russia, Hong Kong, and Macau. The company plans to focus on further expansion into China and Singapore in the third and fourth quarters of 2025. 'The goal is basically to create a solid market share, to increase market share within the UAE market first of all,' said Sartoris of the company's expansion plans, adding that parallel efforts to grow in export markets will follow.
Trade Arabia
17-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Dibba Bay Oysters appoints new GM
Dibba Bay Oysters, a gourmet oyster farm in the Middle East, has appointed Andrea Sartoris as its new General Manager. With over 20 years of global experience in the food and beverage industry, Sartoris will lead the company in delivering locally harvested, world-class oysters across the UAE and international markets. The Italian national has extensive experience in sales and operations across diverse markets and industries, having served as an International Area Manager for a multinational seafood brand from 2005 to 2014. 'It is a privilege to work with a talented and committed team of over 180 exceptional colleagues, from our skilled oystermen to our passionate sales team,' said Sartoris on his appointment as General Manager. 'Their daily efforts, creativity, and dedication are the vital force behind Dibba Bay's continued success and growth. Together, we are pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in all we do.' -TradeArabia News Service
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dibba Bay Oysters announces Andrea Sartoris as General Manager to drive expansion and growth
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dibba Bay Oysters, the first gourmet oyster farm in the Middle East, is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Andrea Sartoris as the new General Manager. Bringing a leading figure with over 20 years of global experience in the food and beverage industry to the groundbreaking business that has redefined the UAE's aquaculture landscape, the partnership between Andrea and Dibba Bay Oysters is the next step in an inspirational journey. Since launching in 2016, Dibba Bay Oysters has set new industry benchmarks, delivering locally harvested, world-class oysters across the UAE and several international markets. Named after its birthplace on the tranquil shores of Dibba, the company has grown to prominence by cultivating premium oysters with unrivalled freshness and a distinctive, clean flavour profile in the pristine, nutrient-rich waters of Fujairah. Andrea is an Italian national with expertise in sales and operations across diverse markets and industries. From 2005 to 2014, he served as an International Area Manager for a leading multinational company specialising in seafood brands, gaining deep industry knowledge and global market insights. Relocating to the UAE in 2011 from Switzerland, he took on senior sales and operations roles, including General Sales Manager, Market Operations Manager, and Head of Retail & E-Commerce, before assuming a Group Sales Manager position in 2023. This wealth of experience positions Andrea to capitalise on Dibba Bay Oysters' unique qualities through expansion into local and new markets. He has a proven track record in driving successful strategic initiatives with diverse, high-performing teams to achieve outstanding business results. Today, Andrea joins Dibba Bay Oysters with a clear mission to build its legacy, delivering the business from Fujairah to the world. Transforming traditional methods into a groundbreaking model for gourmet oyster farming, Dibba Bay Oysters has proven its ability to adapt to international market demands while maintaining a position at the forefront of sustainable practices and eco-friendly farming techniques. Leveraging cutting-edge technology to achieve unmatched efficiency and product quality, it is not only a force to be reckoned with on the global stage but plays a key role in safeguarding marine ecosystems as it aligns with the objective of the UAE's National Food Security Strategy. Initiatives already in place include the Dibba Bay Oyster 'Reef Creation Project', returning shells to the ocean to support native shellfish and the reef habitat. 'It is a privilege to work with a talented and committed team of over 180 exceptional colleagues, from our skilled oystermen to our passionate sales team,' said Andrea Sartoris on his appointment as General Manager. 'Their daily efforts, creativity, and dedication are the vital force behind Dibba Bay's continued success and growth. Together, we are pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in all we do.' Building on the foundation and vision of his predecessor, Andrea will lead Dibba Bay Oysters as it continues to harness the opportunities of its geographic location and superior product to disrupt the UAE's culinary landscape and champion the UAE-grown excellence on the global stage. Proud of being locally produced and globally acclaimed, Dibba Bay Oysters' efficient supply chain ensures oysters are harvested and delivered within 24/48 hours, maintaining their freshness and quality. By revitalising oyster farming, Dibba Bay honours the rich maritime heritage of the UAE, blending tradition with modern innovation to create a premium choice available across leading retail chains, top hospitality venues, Michelin-Starred restaurants and two brand-owned restaurants. What started as a simple question – 'Could premium gourmet oysters be grown in the waters of the United Arab Emirates?' – has been answered with triumphant results among the region's discerning, cosmopolitan culinary scene. The next step for the team's shared mission, in which Andrea will play a key role, is to evolve into a leading global brand as Dibba Bay Oysters become 'the world's oyster'. For further information Dibba Bay Oysters, please visit: About Dibba Bay Founded in 2016, Dibba Bay is the first shellfish farm in the Middle East, based in Dibba, Fujairah. The farm is a 90-minute drive from Dubai and harvesting takes place three times a week, every week of the year, to ensure incredibly fresh oysters are delivered to customers in a regular and reliable fashion. The Dibba Bay oyster is a sustainably farmed local product of the UAE with a growing reputation as a world-class gourmet product. Along several important certificates, Dibba Bay is Friend of the Sea and Halal certified for sustainable aquaculture; which proves not only that the company conducts a responsible farming operation, but also has a broader commitment to protecting the environment. The Dibba Bay oyster is a nutritional powerhouse, high in protein with 10 grams available in just four oysters. They are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet - full of Zinc, Vitamins D3 & B12, omega-3 fatty acids and much more. Dibba Bay currently produces over 300,000 oysters a month and a large percentage is exported to countries that include Russia, Hong Kong, Macau, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Oman, and very soon new destinations. Learn more at For Middle East media enquiries, please contact AllDetails: Nejoud Bayoumi, PR Account Manager Email: Chamodi Gunawardane, Junior PR Account Manager, Email:
