In collaboration with Rungis, AD Ports Group, and UAE-based multi-business conglomerate, Ghassan Aboud Group has established one of the region’s largest multi-category wholesale food trading and logistics centers in KIZAD. In collaboration with Rungis, the Regional Food Hub – Abu Dhabi will bring together wholesale buyers, sellers, logistics partners, consolidators, and distributors from across the globe, thus increasing the variety of food products available to consumers in the United Arab Emirates and throughout the region.
The Rundis International Market is the world’s largest wholesale market for fresh foods. Currently, it hosts 1200 companies, serves 18 million consumers, and generates a turnover of 10 billion euros.
As part of this initiative, the project will partner with the world’s leading wholesale market players to ensure that services, facilities, and systems are world-class and that the site is both sustainable and hygienic and has a zero-waste ecosystem to facilitate post-pandemic requisites.
Among other commodities, this will facilitate trade in proteins, seafood, pulses and rice, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, dried foods, and fresh flowers. Food companies worldwide can offer their products, and buyers will have access to thousands of new products in a safe, clean environment, positioning the UAE as an essential link in the evolving global food supply chain.
Covering a land area of 3.3 sq. km in KIZAD, the Regional Food Hub – Abu Dhabi will be one of the largest of its kind in the region. An essential part of its ecosystem will be trading pavilions, logistics services, refrigerated and ambient warehouses, critical government services, waste recycling facilities, and other support amenities and services.
Security and safety of food are among the top priorities of the UAE. The development of this significant new trade hub will provide efficiencies in food supply chains and allow wholesalers in the UAE to be more affordable, sustainable, and secure. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development supports the launch of the ‘Regional Food Hub – Abu Dhabi,’ which enhances public-private partnerships as part of our effort to achieve an economy based on knowledge, diversification, and sustainability.
The ‘Regional Food Hub – Abu Dhabi’ will also incorporate cutting-edge technology to offer a digital marketplace offering various services to tenants and customers. This will facilitate adoption and continuity, easing business by supporting key synergies between Abu Dhabi’s government entities and trade enablers.
Efforts will be made to accelerate the government’s National Food Security Strategy and increase food trade flow through Abu Dhabi. As a result of lowering the overall supply chain costs of food products, the food hub will provide local and global companies with a competitive environment.