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The United Arab Emirates has strengthened its position as a global hub for food supply chains, leveraging its strategic geographic location and world-class infrastructure to support regional and international food security. According to an announcement made in Abu Dhabi on February 7, 2026, the country connects continents through advanced ports, airports, and road networks while implementing smart solutions to enhance logistical efficiency amid growing challenges facing the global food system.
Experts in the logistics sector confirmed that the UAE benefits from current and future capabilities in serving regional and global food logistics. The country ranks first regionally and third globally in the Agility Logistics Index for Emerging Markets, trailing only China and India.
Food Supply Chain Market Growth in the Middle East
The food logistics services market in the Middle East is valued at approximately 67.14 billion US dollars in 2025, according to a Mordor Intelligence report. The market is expected to reach 100.59 billion US dollars by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 8.42 percent through 2030.
The UAE’s Food Cluster Economy initiative, launched by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, represents a qualitative leap in enabling the private sector to lead development in legislation, initiatives, and projects. This initiative integrates all stakeholders within a comprehensive ecosystem that includes farms, factories, supply chains, and retail, addressing challenges with a win-win mentality to ensure benefits for all parties.
Strategic Port Infrastructure Supporting Food Trade
The country’s ports play a significant role in cementing the UAE’s leadership in the regional and global food sector. Jebel Ali Port handles approximately 73 percent of the UAE’s food and beverage trade by value, connecting companies to more than 150 ports worldwide to ensure smooth and safe international food trade.
Additionally, the Dubai Food Zone, whose technical and design details were recently revealed by DP World, will enhance Dubai and the UAE’s position in global food supply chains. The zone will be developed in several phases, with the first phase set to launch in 2027.
Integrated Infrastructure for Food Logistics
The Dubai Food Zone will provide an integrated ecosystem for the food sector including advanced facilities for refrigerated storage and temperature-controlled warehouses, centers for primary and secondary processing, and digital solutions for operations management. Moreover, it will feature wholesale and retail facilities and a hall dedicated to premium foods serving both business and consumer sectors.
Mohamed Nasser, an expert at Halal Approval Global, said the UAE’s geographic location is among the most strategic globally, linking the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. He explained that the Emirates has become like a “small world” where nationalities, legislations, and trends converge, particularly those related to the global food system and halal food ecosystem.
Nasser emphasized that what significantly distinguishes the country and increases location efficiency is the integrated infrastructure it possesses. However, he noted that ports, airports, and advanced road networks have helped prepare the Emirates to be a fundamental hub for global food distribution chains, with infrastructure strength forming the foundation upon which supply chain efficiency is built.
Transportation Networks and Future Expansion
Mohamed Badreldin, Warehouse Manager at Al Sharqi Logistics Services, stated that the UAE’s geographic location, alongside its advancement in the logistics field, has made it one of the most important countries for managing the massive quantities of goods flowing between world nations. He explained that the UAE’s port system serves most global ports and plays a pivotal role in connecting trade movement between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
In contrast to traditional transportation methods, the UAE has begun operating a rail network for freight transport, with plans to extend it for passenger transport in the future. This development is expected to enhance delivery operations efficiency and raise the competitiveness of the national logistics sector.
Regarding global supply chain challenges, Badreldin pointed to issues including insurance, price fluctuations, and stability concerns. Meanwhile, he confirmed that the UAE provides a safe and secure environment for transporting goods through its various ports according to the highest health and environmental standards, ensuring protection from various risks.
The first phase of the Dubai Food Zone is scheduled to begin operations in 2027, though specific timelines for subsequent development phases have not been confirmed. Authorities continue to develop supporting infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to maintain the UAE’s competitive position in global food logistics.
