Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafi, the acting Executive Director of the Environment, Health, and Safety Foundation in Dubai, has identified eight key factors that have positioned Dubai as a leading hub on the global food trade map. These factors include: a strategic geographical location at the crossroads of global trade routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa; advanced logistical infrastructure (such as Jebel Ali Port, Dubai Industrial City, and Dubai Logistics City); availability of specialized industrial and food areas along with state-of-the-art cold storage facilities; flexible policies and government incentives; a diverse population and global consumer demand; technological advancements and smart regulation; the hosting of international exhibitions and conferences; and a commitment to sustainability and food security.
Increase in Consumption
Regarding the reasons for the rise in food consumption in Dubai over the past year, Dr. Rafi highlighted several factors: population growth and expansion of the resident base, a rebound in the tourism sector, economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, government initiatives aimed at enhancing food security, increased demand for healthy food options, and a 30% growth in the demand for food products in the UAE, including Dubai, since the beginning of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Investments
Dr. Rafi stated, “Dubai Industrial City has attracted investments exceeding 350 million dirhams in the food and beverage sector during 2024, with 25 companies renting 1.7 million square feet of high-quality industrial space.” She noted that Dubai Industrial City hosts 315 operational factories, including facilities for dairy, ice cream, meat, and baked goods production, which significantly enhance the food sector’s production capacity.
Factories and Companies
Furthermore, Dubai is home to 315 registered factories in the food and beverage sector, making it the emirate with the highest number of these establishments in the country. In terms of packaging companies, Dubai boasts 264 specialized firms involved in packaging, engaging in over 822 different activities.