DP World has launched the Dubai Food District, a 29 million square-foot expansion and rebranding of the Al Aweer Central Fruit & Vegetable Market, designed to scale the UAE’s food trade infrastructure. The development adds temperature-controlled warehousing, processing, and distribution facilities and will be showcased at Gulfood 2026.
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Project overview and strategic purpose
The Dubai Food District is presented as a multi-category food trade campus that more than doubles the footprint of the existing Al Aweer market. DP World says the hub will combine wholesale trading, cold storage, processing lines, and retail formats in a single connected site to speed time-to-market and lower logistics costs.
Infrastructure, capacity, and facilities
Planned facilities include extensive temperature-controlled warehousing, primary and secondary food processing areas, and logistics yards tied into DP World’s multimodal network. The campus aims to serve fresh produce, chilled and frozen goods, and value-added food categories. DP World describes the site as a trade-led platform for private and public sector food businesses.
Market connectivity and trade reach
DP World says the district will link producers and traders to more than 20 global markets via its logistics network, enabling faster exports and improved distribution across the region. The initiative is marketed as strengthening the UAE’s position as a gateway for food trade to Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Timeline and industry engagement
DP World will roll the project out in phases, with early stages scheduled to begin from 2027. The group will present the Dubai Food District at Gulfood 2026 to engage buyers, processors, and trade partners. The company frames the launch as a timely response to rising global food demand and supply-chain pressures.
Expected impact on regional food security and trade ecosystem
Officials say the hub will improve resilience in regional food supply chains and create new routes for exporters and small traders. The cluster model is expected to reduce spoilage, cut freight costs, and encourage local food processing. Observers note that clustering trade, cold chain, and processing can raise competitiveness for UAE traders.
Looking Ahead: Gulfood 2026
The Dubai Food District is a major logistics and trade hub. By combining scale, cold-chain capacity, and processing capability at Al Aweer, DP World aims to expand Dubai’s role in global food trade and support the UAE’s food-security and economic goals. Industry stakeholders will watch the early phases and the Gulfood showcase for commercial details and tenancy announcements.
