DP World’s advanced infrastructure and digital trade solutions facilitate a strong food supply chain in the Middle East and other regions, according to Abdulla Al Hashmi, the COO for Parks and Zones at DP World UAE.
Al Hashmi attributes the success of the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, launched in 2018, in helping the country rank first in the Food Security Index in the Arab world and 23rd worldwide in 2022. He believes that to support the national agenda, UAE companies should capitalize on advanced technologies to ensure a sustainable food supply, increase local food production, and diversify sources of food imports.
DP World operates four economic zones in the UAE, including Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and National Industries Park (NIP). According to Al Hashmi, Jafza, which houses over 600 food and agri-commodity companies from 68 countries, has been a significant contributor to the UAE’s food sector, providing access to GCC markets and global access to fast-growing F&B markets in MENA, South Asia, and Africa. NIP, located four kilometers from Jebel Ali Port, has seen high demand for food processing and distribution due to its strategic location and local zone status.
Major food distribution, processing, and packaging companies such as Carrefour, Hunter Foods, Al Maya, and Nesto have established operations in NIP, alongside technology-focused F&B companies such as Kitopi. Al Hashmi has also indicated that DP World has significant plans for the F&B sector’s development within NIP and expects to make some important announcements soon.
DP World manages four economic zones in the UAE and supports various other development areas. Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the company’s flagship free zone located adjacent to Jebel Ali Port, and National Industries Park (NIP), an industrial zone in the local market, are two key players in the UAE’s food sector. Jafza is home to over 600 food and agri-commodity companies from 68 countries, making it a significant contributor to the UAE’s food sector and a vital part of its long-term objectives. According to Al Hashmi, the free zone’s strategic location and world-class logistics infrastructure offer access to the GCC markets, which rely on imports to meet 85% of their food and beverage (F&B) requirements, according to WAM.
NIP, a 21 km² industrial development land in the local market, benefits from its proximity to Jebel Ali Port and direct road access to Dubai’s main international airports. Al Hashmi explained that NIP is an ideal destination for companies specializing in processing and distribution within the UAE and GCC, with major food distribution, processing, and packaging companies such as Carrefour, Hunter Foods, Al Maya, and Nesto establishing large-scale operations there. The free zone has significant plans for the food and beverage industry’s development within NIP, and Al Hashmi expects to make some important announcements soon.
DP World launched Jebel Ali’s Agri Terminal to focus on facilitating global food trade, diversifying food import sources, and identifying alternative supply schemes. The new state-of-the-art facility will enhance the year-round availability of essential grains and pulses, and its one million square metre quayside terminal will handle bulk shipments and have dedicated space for 12 berths with a 14-16 m draft capable of handling large bulk carriers. The terminal will process cereals, meat and seafood products, bottled water, and dairy products, as well as have specialized facilities for oil, tea, coffee, cacao, spices, and various other agri commodities. The hub supports farm-to-shelf supply chain activities by enabling the development of new technologies for sustainable food production and deployment across the region.
DP World is partnering with existing and new partners to develop additional infrastructure and services that contribute to the UAE’s strategies and strengthen Jebel Ali’s position as a global gateway for trade in the F&B sector. The free zone offers an ecosystem that provides multiple growth opportunities for food, livestock, and agriculture businesses, according to Al Hashmi.
To reduce the complexity of time-sensitive food imports and re-exports, DP World teamed up with Dubai Customs and Dubai Municipality to launch Zadi, an online cross-border trade facilitation service dedicated to food shipments. Zadi, the digital F&B trade solution, eliminates redundancies and connects all food inspection and border control authorities under a single window, increasing efficiency and ease of doing business for suppliers across global markets.
