Country Hill International Opens Prime Gourmet Flagship in Umm Suqeim Featuring Yamayuki Tuna

By Web Desk / January 31, 2026

Country Hill International (CHI) has opened its Prime Gourmet flagship store in Umm Suqeim, incorporating its seafood concept, The Fishmonger. The launch included a partnership with Japanese tuna wholesaler Yamayuki, led by Yukitaka Yamaguchi.

Yamaguchi attended the opening on 21 January, marking his first professional visit to the Middle East. While Yamayuki products have previously been available in the UAE, the partnership provides a direct link to the wholesaler’s selection process and standards used at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market.

The flagship functions as a procurement site for both the general public and hospitality operators, specialising in premium meats, seafood, and dry goods. The Fishmonger section within the store is dedicated to seasonal seafood and specific tuna cuts selected according to Japanese butchery standards.

“Prime Gourmet and The Fishmonger reflect CHI’s vision for culinary excellence in the region,” says Maria Luisa Panzica La Manna, Chief Commercial Officer at Country Hill International. “Through this flagship and our exclusive Yamayuki partnership, we are giving chefs, hospitality partners, and food enthusiasts access to premium ingredients and technical expertise.”

Technical Sourcing at The Fishmonger

The store is designed to serve as a high-volume sourcing hub for the region’s hospitality sector, offering professional guidance on meat and seafood preparation. The presence of Yukitaka Yamaguchi during the launch allowed local chefs to observe the technical grading and selection methods used for Yamayuki tuna. Yamaguchi is recognized for his work at Toyosu Market, where he specialises in the precise butchery and quality assessment of tuna for global distribution.

Country Hill International, established 25 years ago, operates as a primary importer and distributor for hotels and restaurants across the Middle East. The Umm Suqeim facility combines retail space with a chef-focused engagement area, intended for the exploration of specialised ingredients. By maintaining direct relationships with producers like Yamayuki, the site aims to provide a consistent supply of graded seafood and meat that meets the requirements of the UAE’s professional kitchens and luxury food retail sector.