Fruit & Vegetable
King of Oman
Abdul Vahid A.K
Managing Director, KV Group International, Muscat, Oman.
Food is the lifeblood that keeps the engine of a nation running,
and fruits and vegetables form a crucial ingredient in the diet of its people. In the desert nations of West Asia, food production falls significantly short of meeting the demands of the ever-growing population. This demand is met by importing vast quantities of staples such as rice, wheat, meat, and, of course, fruits and vegetables. The Sultanate of Oman is no different. While a significant portion of its fruits and vegetables are imported, a major player in the business is now producing 40% of these commodities within the Sultanate, under the adept stewardship of an Indian entrepreneur.
Leadership in Fresh Produce: Abdul Vahid A.K., Managing Director of KV Group International, has been instrumental in producing 40% of Oman’s fruits and vegetables, significantly impacting the country’s food supply.
Meet Abdul Vahid A.K., the dynamic Managing Director of KV Group International in Muscat. Originally from Karunagappalli in the Kollam district of Kerala, India, Mr. Vahid is the second son of Assanaru Kunju and Beevi Kunju. After completing his pre-university education in 1989, Mr. Vahid moved to Muscat, Oman, in the early 1990s, where he launched his fruit and vegetable business in 1992. Initially focused on the supply and retail of vegetables and fruits, by 1997, Mr. Vahid, along with his elder brother Abdul Jabbar and younger brother Abdul Latheef, expanded their enterprise to the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market in Al Mawaleh, Muscat.
Founding and Expansion: Initially starting in 1992, Vahid expanded his business by 1997, establishing KV Group as a key wholesaler in the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market in Muscat.
The group’s journey in Oman began in the early 1990s as a humble retailer, driven by the founders’ vision. Committed to the nation that hosts their business, KV Group established itself as a wholesaler in the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market in 1997.
Delivering fresh, organic vegetables and fruits to the discerning customers of Oman and supplying major hypermarkets and supermarkets across the Sultanate, including Lulu and Carrefour, the company solidified its credentials in the country.
Brand Development: Launched in 1990, Suhol Al Fayha has become a leading brand in fresh produce, known for its reliability and quality.
In 1990, the group launched a new brand, Suhol Al Fayha, which swiftly became a leader in the fresh produce industry, building its reputation on reliability, quality, and innovation. With over 30 years of experience, the company has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses across the region. Through continuous investment in technology and infrastructure, Suhol Al Fayha remains at the forefront of the industry, setting new standards for excellence and driving market growth.
The group has in 2024 launched Fayha Fresh, a fresh juice brand, in the Oman market. It plans to introduce cut fruit products soon. In 2019, KV Group acquired Kuriya Muriya Trading LLC, a renowned distributor in the frozen and chilled products business. With a strong reputation and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Kuriya Muriya has enhanced its operations under KV Group, covering retail and wholesale food services.
Sustainable Agriculture: Since 2005, the group has cultivated organic vegetables, covering 180 hectares and achieving a record yield of 11,000 tonnes of tomatoes in one season.
The group’s Al Fayha Markets represent one of the latest retail formats in the Sultanate of Oman, with Anhar Al Fayha being incorporated in 2006. Al Fayha operates in various retail formats, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores. The group’s commitment to responsible retailing is a fundamental business principle, with each store focusing on meeting the needs of busy shoppers by providing a broad selection of fresh, high-quality products and services at fair prices, speedy transactions, and a clean, safe, and friendly shopping environment.
In addition to serving individual customers, Anhar Al Fayha supplies quality foodstuff materials to several hotels and restaurants. Shipping service companies are also catered to, with the supply of frozen and chilled items meeting international standards. This vertical of KV Group is manned by a well-qualified and experienced team of professionals.
In 2005, KV Group began cultivating vegetables in the Sultanate under the guidance of an organic agriculture scientist from India, Giridhar. Today, the group cultivates 180 hectares of land with 64 different organic vegetables, yielding premium prices in the market. The group achieved a record yield of 11,000 tonnes of tomatoes in one season and now meets 40% of the fruit and vegetable supply in the Sultanate. The KV Group also imports 60% of the vegetables needed in the Sultanate, primarily from China, South Africa, and India. Every day, 10 cargo flights import vegetables and fruits. The group operates 250 vehicles to meet market demand, employing a total of 1,500 staff across various departments. With branches in the UAE, the company has set its sights on expanding into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Retail and Commercial Ventures: The group operates Al Fayha Markets and Anhar Al Fayha, serving various retail formats and supplying hotels, restaurants, and shipping service companies.
The company is poised to launch fresh juice under the brand Fayha Fresh and plans to introduce cut fruit to the market soon.
In 2019, KV Group acquired Kuriya Muriya Trading LLC, a renowned distributor in the frozen and chilled products business for the last 40 years. By supplying the world’s leading brands, the company has earned a strong reputation among competitors. The state-of-the-art infrastructure ensures the maintenance of sufficient and fresh stock, supported by world-class suppliers.
Over the past 30 years, Kuriya Muriya has been recognized as one of the leading importers and distributors of foodstuff in the region, covering both retail and wholesale food service. Under KV Group, Kuriya Muriya has enhanced its operations in Al Kamil and Sohar, and the division is set to grow profitably through innovation and operational excellence.
Educational Contributions: In India, the group established the Triple I Commerce Academy in 2014, providing professional education in commerce with a focus on CA, ACCA, CS, CMA IND, and CMA US.
Another key division of KV Group is Al Naseem International Trading & Contracting LLC (Nasplast), a leading manufacturer and exporter of biodegradable plastic packaging materials. Established in 2005, Nasplast is a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) of KV Group, headquartered in the Sultanate of Oman, with operations across the UAE, Bahrain, and India. “Nasplast” operates a multi-specialty manufacturing facility in the Uhi industrial area, Sohar, Oman, and pioneers in providing cutting-edge technological and innovative solutions in the biodegradable plastics packaging industry. The unit has a production capacity of 3,600 tons per annum, producing high-quality polythene bags, rolls, and sheets for a wide range of applications in manufacturing, service, retail, and FMCG industries. Nasplast offers the most cost-effective, innovative, and tailor-made solutions in plastic packaging products with state-of-the-art machinery, global experience, and a dedicated, experienced team of professionals.
“Nasplast” has established, documented, implemented, and maintained a Quality Management System to continually improve its effectiveness as a means of providing a structured process for achieving product quality and customer satisfaction in accordance with international standards. With an in-house lab equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the company ensures the highest quality standards. The continuous upgrading of processes and technology has enabled the company to meet the challenges of the market.
Expansion Plans: KV Group is opening new stores and developing commercial and industrial projects in Khazaen Economic City, including a restaurant and supermarket.
Kovic General Trading is another important vertical of KV Group, established in 2017 for retail business development in various emirates of the UAE. Additionally, it focuses on working with local farms to distribute their produce. Suhol Al Fayha UAE serves as a sourcing center and wholesale division of KV Group. Since its inception in 2005, this division has played a significant role in the growth of Suhol Al Fayha in Oman. Suhol UAE finds quality products at affordable prices for its customers in both Oman and the UAE. By providing a consistent supply of fresh fruits, Suhol UAE has gained a strong reputation among customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders with the help of trained professionals.
The group is expanding its presence in Sultanate of Oman by opening new fruit and vegetable shops, as well as plastic retail stores, within Khazaen Central Market for Fruits and Vegetables (Silal).
This move follows the relocation of operations from Mawaleh Central Market for Fruits and Vegetables. The launch of the new market represents a significant boost to Oman’s food supply chain. Additionally, the group plans to open a restaurant and supermarket at Al Maskan Village in Khazaen.
To further consolidate its presence in the Sultanate, the group is also developing various commercial and industrial projects on its own lands within Khazaen Economic City.
In India, the group established an educational institution of repute in 2014. Triple I Commerce Academy, based in Trivandrum with branches in Kochi and Kozhikode, has made a name for itself in the professional education realm. The academy is a valuable companion for every aspiring professional in the commerce industry, helping them acquire knowledge and skills to fit into the fast-growing world.
With excellent coaching for CA, ACCA, CS, CMA IND, and CMA US, the academy has become a single-point learning destination for budding accounting professionals. Unlike traditional faculty-to-student lectures, the academy focuses on enriching the academic life of aspirants through constant interactions and numerous co-curricular activities, enhancing their teamwork and organizational skills.
Mr. Vahid is a keen traveler who loves to spend time with his family when he is not preoccupied with business affairs. He is married to Saleena, a homemaker, and the couple has three children. The eldest, Mohammad Savad, is involved in the family business. The second son, Muhammad Sajid, is pursuing his graduation, and the youngest, Khadeeja, is in her first year of a degree program in India.
- Present Address: P.O. Box: 3347, PC: 111, Al Mawaleh, Muscat.
Contact: +968 99365538
Permanent Address: Kochuvilayil, Kadathur, Kulashekharapuram P.O., Karunagappalli,
Kerala Contact: +91 9313313313
