DP World has announced the Dubai Food District, a transformation and expansion of the Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market into a food trade centre.
The district will expand in phases, with the first phase beginning in 2027. The development will more than double the size of the existing market to create a 29 million square foot hub for food trade, designed to strengthen food supply chains, expand trade capacity and support food security in the region.
Dubai Food District will combine trade, storage, processing and distribution into a single ecosystem. The development will offer cold stores and temperature-controlled warehousing, primary and secondary processing facilities, digital back-office solutions, cash-and-carry options and a gourmet food hall for businesses and consumers.
DP World announces Dubai Food District expansion at Al Aweer Market
The market, announced in July 2024 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will cater to fruits and vegetables as well as dairy, gourmet foods, staples and specialty products. The development positions Dubai as a gateway for food trade.
The Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market opened in 2004 and has become a food market in the region, supporting more than 2,500 traders supplying produce across the UAE and the region.
The expansion will preserve Al Aweer’s role at the heart of the food ecosystem while enhancing its scale, efficiency and diversity, improving speed to market and reducing supply chain risks for food businesses.
“Dubai Food District strengthens Dubai’s leadership in food trade by bringing world-class infrastructure, global connectivity and advanced logistics together in one location. We’re enabling farmers, producers and traders to reach new markets faster, more efficiently and more sustainably,” Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World said in a statement.
DP World’s Dubai Food District to connect traders to 20 markets worldwide
“With global food demand on the rise and supply chains under strain, Dubai Food District is a critical investment. It’s designed to serve as a launchpad for trade-led innovation in the food sector, supporting the UAE’s industrial strategy while driving long-term economic impact,” Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director of DP World GCC added.
The location provides multimodal connectivity, linking producers and traders to over 20 markets through DP World’s logistics network. The infrastructure is designed to make supply chains more agile, secure and cost-effective, helping businesses of all sizes access markets.
DP World will showcase the Dubai Food District during Gulfood 2026 at Gulfood Fresh and Logistics North Hall 12 stand GG.H2.
