Jafza aims to reinforce its foodstuff, livestock & agricultural products sector valued at AED13.3 billion
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 February 2021: DP World, UAE Region, the leading smart trade enabler and its flagship trade and logistics hub, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) are set to participate in Gulfood 2021, scheduled to take place from 21-25 February at Dubai World Trade Centre. The entities will shed light on their wide range of incentives and the enhanced F&B trade enabling capabilities of their logistics hub, including Jebel Ali Port and Jafza.
The F&B industry in the UAE has established its importance with a consistent uptick in business and DP World, UAE Region has been a key contributor to its growth with the foodstuff, livestock and agricultural products sector in Jafza valued at AED13.3 billion. Supporting over 4,700 customers, the free zone hosts over 550 companies from more than 70 countries. Its world-class business ecosystem consists of partners capable of trading sugar, beverages, meat, cocoa, dairy produce, fruits and nuts, coffee, tea, and spices.
Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, and CEO, Jafza said: “The F&B sector has been integral to our success, especially considering its rapid growth in the country. In 2020, Dubai’s external food trade volumes reached nine million tonnes in the first half of the year, representing AED32 billion in total, whereas Dubai’s food imports touched AED22 billion. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have constantly focused on securing the UAE’s food supply value chain through our multimodal logistics hub.”
Al Muallem added: “According to a recent report by Fitch Solutions, over 2021-2024, consumer spending on food is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.8 per cent. At 24.4 per cent of total food spending in 2021, meat and poultry are projected to remain the largest food spending category until 2024. Bread, rice and cereals will be the strongest growing category at 4.3 per cent CAGR. These figures portray the promise in the sector and we are certain that with the help of our F&B partners in Jafza and our core competencies, we can help this sector boom.”
Ahmad Al Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World, UAE Region will participate in the Gulfood Innovation Summit’s ‘Reaching 3 billion consumers’ panel discussion. Jafza’s dedicated F&B cluster spreads over an area of 1.55 million sq. meters, offering value-added logistics services including storage, processing, packaging, bagging and other facilities within both bonded and non-bonded zones. Some of their key customers include global and local leading names like Unilever, Nestle, Heinz, Hunter Foods, Al Khaleej Sugar and Bayara, among others.
Additionally, DP World’s Smart Solution Logistics FZE (SSL) strategically located in Jebel Ali Port and ZADI by Dubai Trade, an online cross-border trade facilitation platform for food shipments, have cemented the entity’s position in this sector. The former ensures optimum storage of temperature-sensitive and perishable goods through food and agriculture accredited temperature-controlled storage units (both ambient and cold stores) with nine different cells and temperature zones, while the latter, a collaboration with Dubai Municipality and Dubai Customs, is designed to protect the food supply chain from monopoly and disruption, enabling traders to easily access food supplies.
About DP World
We are the leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. Our comprehensive range of products and services covers every link of the integrated supply chain – from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks as well as technology-driven customer solutions.
We deliver these services through an interconnected global network of 136 business units in 61 countries across six continents, with a significant presence both in high-growth and mature markets. Wherever we operate, we integrate sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship into our activities, striving for a positive contribution to the economies and communities where we live and work.
Our dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 53,360 employees from 137 nationalities are committed to delivering unrivalled value to our customers and partners. We do this by focusing on mutually beneficial relationships – with governments, shippers, traders, and other stakeholders along the global supply chain – relationships built on a foundation of mutual trust and enduring partnership.
We think ahead, anticipate change and deploy industry-leading digital technology to further broaden our vision to disrupt world trade and create the smartest, most efficient and innovative solutions, while ensuring a positive and sustainable impact on economies, societies and our planet.
