Dubai, UAE – DP World Group DB World has officially revealed technical and design details for the Dubai Food Zone.
In a move that represents a strategic expansion and comprehensive redevelopment of the Al-Awir Central Fruit and Vegetable Market, transforming it into the largest and most modern global food trade center.
The project, announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in July 2024, will include a broader scope to include trade in vegetables, fruits, dairy products and cheese.
In addition to luxury foods, basic foodstuffs, and specialized products.
This enhances Dubai’s position as an integrated gateway for food trade worldwide.
The new project extends over an area of 29 million square feet, equivalent to more than twice the size of the current market.
To constitute an integrated, multi-category center for food trade, aiming to strengthen food supply chains, expand trade capabilities, and support regional food security.
The Dubai Food Zone will be developed in several phases, with the first phase set to launch in 2027.
The region will provide an integrated food sector system that includes advanced refrigerated storage facilities and temperature-controlled warehouses.
In addition to primary and secondary processing centers, digital operations management solutions, and wholesale and retail facilities.
As well as a hall dedicated to luxury food to serve both the business and consumer sectors.
The Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market opened in 2004 and has since established itself as one of the region’s most prominent food markets.
It includes more than 2,500 merchants who supply the markets of the UAE and the region with a wide range of fresh products.
A pivotal role for Al-Awir Market
Based on this foundation, the new expansion aims to preserve the pivotal role of the Al-Awir Central Market in the food system, while enhancing its size, operational efficiency, and diverse food categories.
This contributes to accelerating the arrival of products to markets and reducing risks facing supply chains in the food sector.
The Dubai Food Zone website has the advantage of multi-modal logistics connectivity.
Which allows suppliers and traders to access more than 20 markets around the world through the global DB World network.
The project’s infrastructure is designed to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of supply chains, ensure their security, and reduce their operational costs.
Enabling companies of all sizes to enter new markets more quickly and efficiently.
DB World will showcase the Dubai Food Zone project at Gulfood 2026.
