Dubai Ports World has officially unveiled the “Dubai Food Zone,” marking a significant strategic expansion and comprehensive redevelopment of the Al Aweer Central Market for fruits and vegetables. This initiative aims to transform it into the largest and most modern global food trading hub.
The project, announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is expected to launch in July 2024. It will encompass a broader range of products, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, gourmet foods, essential commodities, and specialized items, further establishing Dubai as an integrated global trade gateway for food.
Covering an area of 29 million square feet—more than double the size of the existing market—the new development aims to create a comprehensive, multi-category food trading center that enhances food supply chains, expands trading capabilities, and supports regional food security.
The “Dubai Food Zone” will be developed in several phases, with the first phase set to begin in 2027. The area will feature a complete ecosystem for the food sector, including advanced facilities for refrigerated storage, temperature-controlled warehouses, primary and secondary processing centers, digital management solutions, and dedicated spaces for wholesale and retail sales, as well as a hall for gourmet foods catering to both businesses and consumers.
Since its opening in 2004, the Al Aweer Central Market has established itself as one of the leading food markets in the region, hosting over 2,500 vendors who supply a diverse array of fresh products to markets across the UAE and beyond. This new expansion builds on the strong foundation of the Al Aweer Central Market, maintaining its pivotal role in the food ecosystem while enhancing its size, operational efficiency, and product variety, thereby facilitating faster product distribution and mitigating risks in food supply chains.
According to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, the Dubai Food Zone will bolster Dubai’s leadership in the food trade sector by combining world-class infrastructure, global logistics connectivity, and advanced solutions in a single location. It enables farmers, producers, and traders to access new markets with greater speed, efficiency, and sustainability.
Abdullah bin Damithan, CEO and General Manager of DP World in the GCC, noted that as global food demand escalates and supply chains face increasing pressures, the Dubai Food Zone represents a crucial investment to address these challenges. The initiative is designed to serve as a launching platform for trade-based innovation in the food sector, significantly contributing to the nation’s industrial strategy and ensuring sustainable economic impact in the long term.
The location of the Dubai Food Zone benefits from a multi-modal logistics connection, allowing suppliers and traders to access over 20 markets worldwide through the DP World global network. The infrastructure is designed to enhance the agility and efficiency of supply chains, ensuring security while reducing operational costs, thereby enabling businesses of all sizes to enter new markets more swiftly and effectively.
DP World will showcase the Dubai Food Zone project at Gulfood 2026, in Hall North 12, within the Fresh Produce and Logistics section, booth GG.H2.