The hub pledges to raise service efficiency by 33 per cent, slash waste, and cut CO₂ emissions by an estimated 2,500 tonnes annually. Construction is slated to begin by late 2025, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027. Over a hundred jobs will be created in operations and logistics, while cutting fleet emissions by up to 35 per cent.
Hassan Safi, Group CEO of AAFG, said the project reflects “the power of strong partnerships,” enabling faster delivery of fresher produce while reinforcing local economic value. Ahmed Al Shaibani, Director of Food Tech Valley, described the alliance as aligned with their mission to modernise supply chains and pave the way for further technological innovation.
Food Tech Valley is an integrated food-tech ecosystem conceived to unify production, logistics, R\&D, and agritech in one locale. The site already allocates logistics, production, innovation and academic zones. Its infrastructure is designed to attract startups, agritech firms, and enable seamless flow across the food value chain. The hub’s location will reduce transportation distance, thus lowering costs and environmental impact.
The UAE depends heavily on food imports, with 85 to 90 per cent of food sourced externally, making supply chain robustness a strategic priority. The UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 backs investments in innovation, localisation and resilient infrastructure. This logistics hub will serve as a core infrastructure element in turning imported reliance into local strength.
Al Ain Farms Group, officially launched under its new unified identity at the “Make It in the Emirates” Forum 2025, consolidates multiple food and agribusiness brands including Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy, Al Ajban Chicken, Golden Eggs and Saha Arabian Farms. The group’s five-year plan targets scale, innovation, and sustainable practices to support national food security.
Food Tech Valley was launched under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as part of federal efforts to transform the UAE into a global food-tech hub. The Valley integrates zoned areas for production, logistics, business, innovation, and public engagement.
At the Future Food Forum 2025, convened by Food Tech Valley and attended by industry leaders, ministers and innovators, supply chain resilience, tech adoption, and cross-sector collaboration were central themes. The hub announcement was among the key deliverables of the gathering, reinforcing the UAE’s ambition to lead in agri-innovation.
The logistics centre’s design focuses on automation, cold chain systems and digital tracking. While full specifications remain undisclosed, its operations are expected to depend on state-of-the-art warehousing solutions and data connectivity to monitor freshness and minimise losses.
Given material import disruptions and climate pressures affecting global supply chains, the UAE’s shift toward integrated food infrastructure reflects a broader shift across the Gulf region. Investments of this scale aim to reduce dependence, buffer against volatility, and support sustainable consumption patterns.
Historically, UAE food companies have faced higher transportation costs, spoilage, and logistical fragmentation. The new hub bridges gaps between production and consumption zones, offers economies of scale and increases responsiveness to demand fluctuations across emirates.
Regional agritech observers note that this hub could become a model for replication in GCC states, particularly where harsh climate and import reliance create vulnerabilities. Its success will depend on execution, ecosystem integration and regulatory alignment.
Construction, procurement and execution partners have not been publicly confirmed. Stakeholders will watch whether the hub attracts talent and investment beyond core partners, and whether it stimulates ancillary services such as cold storage, smart logistics, and data analytics.
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