Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited Al Barakah Dates Factory in Dubai Industrial City, a facility that spans over 800,000 square feet and holds an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes.
The factory, which exports its products to 97 countries – with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union among its markets – is recognised as one of the market leaders for packaging and processing dates in the world.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohammed said “the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for advanced food industries through innovation, stronger production chains, and boosting the competitiveness of national products. He noted that the dates industry is a successful example of turning the country’s agricultural heritage into a modern, high-value added sector that supports the economy and enhances food security,” the Dubai Media Office statement read.
Al Barakah dates factory: Inside the 800,000 sq ft facility exporting to 97 countries
Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE “continues to invest in key sectors that impact people’s lives, especially the food sector, and is developing its national industries to be more globally competitive through advanced technologies, higher production efficiency, and expanded access to international markets.”
He said the dates industry “is part of the UAE’s identity and heritage,” and that its development “reflects a vision of turning resources into sustainable opportunities.”
He also pointed to the sector’s humanitarian initiatives, including efforts to combat malnutrition, as a reflection of the UAE’s commitment to improving lives and addressing global food security challenges.
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied during the visit by Malek Al Malek, Chairman of TECOM Group. He was briefed by factory founder Saleem Mohammed and his son Yousuf Saleem Mohammed, Managing Director, on the production lines, manufacturing and packaging stages, and the factory’s range of products.
The factory was founded by businessman Saleem Mohammed, who began his career in Dubai in 1983 before moving into dates trading and processing in the 1990s.
Al Barakah Dates Factory is located in Dubai Industrial City, part of TECOM Group’s portfolio of industrial parks, which was launched in 2004. The city hosts over 350 factories and more than 17,000 employees.
Its location is near Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Etihad Rail’s freight terminal, providing logistics connectivity that supports the factory’s export operations across 97 countries.
