AD Ports Group, the region’s leading operator of ports and free zones, has partnered with UAE-based conglomerate Ghassan Aboud Group to set up one of the region’s largest wholesale food trading and logistics hub in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) in collaboration with Rungis.

The project, which was announced at the official project launch ceremony held on site in Kizad, is being developed in collaboration with France’s Rungis International Market.

The ‘Regional Food Hub – Abu Dhabi’ will be spread across an area of 3.3 sq km in Kizad and will bring together wholesale buyers, sellers, logistics players, consolidators, and distributors from across the world, enhancing the diversity of all food categories available for consumers in the UAE and wider region, AD Ports Group, which owns Kizad, said in a statement.

Rungis is the largest wholesale fresh food market in the world. It currently hosts 1200 companies, serves 18 million consumers, and has a turnover of EUR 10 billion.

The project will partner with the world’s leading wholesale market players to ensure the services, facilities and systems are world-class and the site is sustainable, hygienic and a zero-waste ecosystem to cater to post-pandemic requisites. 

It will facilitate trade across proteins, seafood, pulses and rice, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, dry foods and fresh flowers. Food companies from all countries can offer their products and buyers will have a selection of thousands of fresh items managed in a safe, clean environment positioning the UAE as an important part of evolving global food supply chains.

Its ecosystem will feature trading pavilions, logistics services, refrigerated warehouses, critical government services, waste recycling facilities and various other support amenities and services. 

 The project is designed to accelerate the government’s National Food Security Strategy and enhance food trade flow through Abu Dhabi.  By lowering the overall supply chain costs of food products, the food hub will provide a competitive ecosystem for both local and global players.

Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), Chairman of Logistics Sector Development Committee in Abu Dhabi said: “Food security and safety are among the top priorities of the UAE, and this major new trade hub will drive efficiencies in food supply chains and help improve safety, affordability and sustainable access for wholesalers in the UAE.”

 Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, MD and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, stressed the importance of this project and its role in supporting the UAE’s efforts to be number one on the Global Food Security Index by 2051.