SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG) and Food Tech Valley, Dubai’s government-backed food innovation hub, have announced plans to launch a 260,000 sq.ft logistics centre to advance the UAE’s food security and sustainability agenda.
Revealed during the Future Food Forum 2025, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the facility will enable faster deliveries and increased efficiency, ensuring fresher, higher-quality products.
The project is expected reduce delivery distances, cut CO₂ emissions by 2,500 tonnes annually, and lower fleet emissions by up to 35% – supporting the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051 and Net Zero 2050 goals.
“This hub is a testament to the power of strong partnerships in the UAE, driving greater in-country value,” said Hassan Safi, Group CEO of Al Ain Farms Group.
“By working together with a local UAE company Food Tech Valley, we are not only delivering fresher food to our consumers faster than ever before but also strengthening the local economy and talent.”
The project ensures a 33% increase in efficiency across deliveries, while also reducing waste and streamlining delivery, Safi added.
“By leveraging the country’s expertise and resources, we are building a sustainable, resilient food system that benefits both our community and our partners. Together, we are laying the foundation for future innovation and long-term growth, fully aligned with the UAE’s vision for a smarter, greener, and more self-reliant future.”
Scheduled to begin construction by late 2025 and complete within Q1 2027, the facility will significantly boost supply chain resilience. It is expected to create over a hundred jobs across logistics and operations while also incorporating advanced technology.
In an interview with Aletihad, Milana Boskovic, Director of Marketing and R&D at AAFG, said the new hub – with its state-of-the-art systems that streamline order fulfillment and reduce handling times – would play a key role in the company’s “farm-to-shelf” strategy.
“We employ a fully vertically integrated, ‘farm-to-shelf’ model… delivering to over 23,000 retail points within 24 hours of production,” she said.
Boskovic highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying that AAFG’s partnership with Food Tech Valley “not only enhances our ability to deliver fresher, higher-quality products across the UAE, but also acts as a launchpad for developing new products, entering new markets, and accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies”.
Shaping Modern Diets
Advanced food technology is reshaping the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed – with innovation driving a new era of efficiency, sustainability, and health-focused eating. This transformation spans logistics optimisation to developing clean-label and hybrid protein, according to Boskovic.
“Through partnerships, such as our recent agreement with FoodIQ, we are bringing advanced food-tech to the UAE, including Multi-Layer Cooker (MLC) technology,” she said.
“By accelerating the introduction of functional, wellness-driven foods and supporting the shift to cleaner production, we are helping to shape modern diets in the UAE in a way that is aligned with both local values and global best practices.”