The Dubai Food District will be a massive expansion of Al Aweer Market. SUPPLIED

DP World has officially unveiled the Dubai Food District, a major transformation and expansion of the Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market that aims to position Dubai as a leading global gateway for food trade. The project, first announced in July 2024 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, significantly broadens the scope of the existing market. While Al Aweer has traditionally focused on fruits and vegetables, the new district will also cater to dairy, gourmet foods, staples, and specialty products from around the world. The development will be rolled out in phases, with construction of the first phase scheduled to begin in 2027. Once completed, the Dubai Food District will more than double the size of the current market, expanding it into a 29 million square foot, multi-category food trade hub. DP World said the district is designed to strengthen food supply chains, expand trade capacity, and support regional food security. The integrated ecosystem will bring together trading, storage, processing, and distribution in one location, offering temperature-controlled warehouses, cold storage facilities, primary and secondary food processing, digital back-office services, cash-and-carry options, and a gourmet food hall serving both businesses and consumers. The Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market, which opened in 2004, currently supports more than 2,500 traders supplying fresh produce across the UAE and the wider region. DP World said the expansion will preserve Al Aweer’s central role in the food ecosystem while improving efficiency, reducing supply chain risks, and speeding up access to markets. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said the project reinforces Dubai’s leadership in global food trade. “Dubai Food District strengthens Dubai’s leadership in food trade by bringing world-class infrastructure, global connectivity, and advanced logistics together in one location,” he said. “We’re enabling farmers, producers, and traders to reach new markets faster, more efficiently and more sustainably.” Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, said the project responds to growing global demand and supply chain pressures. “With global food demand on the rise and supply chains under strain, Dubai Food District is a critical investment,” he said. “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.” The district’s location offers multimodal connectivity, linking traders to more than 20 global markets through DP World’s logistics network. DP World will showcase the Dubai Food District at Gulfood 2026. ICA/Expat Media
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