Over 600 companies operating in Jafza
Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), a key part of DP World’s trade and logistics hub in Jebel Ali, plays a pivotal role in supporting regional food security.
It contributes by ensuring the steady supply of food and beverages.
Besides maintaining smooth operations across all stages of the supply chain on both regional and global levels.
Jafza has significantly contributed to the growth of the UAE’s food sector and played a leading role in supporting the country’s long-term goals.
The free zone is home to over 600 companies operating in food products and agricultural commodities from 70 countries.
Serving various sectors through its food initiatives.
Key Sectors
Jafza’s integrated food and beverage sector caters to a wide range of food manufacturing and distribution needs.
The success of local and international businesses in Jafza is driven by three key factors:
- Innovation
- Scalable technology
- Strategic partnerships
Food and beverage manufacturers can reduce setup times.
By utilizing Jafza’s light industrial units and temperature-controlled warehouses.
They can also boost their competitiveness through incentives such as corporate tax and VAT exemptions.
Jafza’s advanced infrastructure meets the evolving needs of food and beverage brands.
It is also covering processing, manufacturing, blending, seafood farming, packaging, trading, distribution, and storage, in addition to office spaces.
Jafza Trade Volume and Market Reach
Jafza currently handles 3.1 million metric tons of food trade, with the sector valued at AED 15.9 billion.
The free zone is home to over 600 food-focused companies, with:
- 48% from the Middle East
- 20% from Asia
- 16% from Europe
- 9% from Africa
- 6% from North America
- 1% each from South America and Oceania
These companies employ 6,800 workers and operate across 1.7 million square meters of land, offices, and warehouses.
Through its strong supply chain network, Jafza has built strategic partnerships with major markets.
Including Brazil, India, the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq.
Jafza’s industrial plots come equipped with all essential infrastructure.
Enabling food and beverage manufacturers to set up state-of-the-art production facilities.
As a result, many leading global food brands have relocated their regional headquarters and offices to Jafza.
Business Incubators At Jafza
Jafza offers exceptional growth opportunities for multinational corporations and SMEs, providing cost-effective market access.
Its business incubators offer vital support for SMEs entering regional markets.
Jafza One houses two exclusive food and beverage business incubators:
- The Product Incubator – Reinforcing Dubai’s position as the capital of the Islamic economy.
- The Latin American Incubator – Serving as a gateway for Latin American companies to enter UAE and GCC markets smoothly.
Licensing and Trade Facilitation
Jafza issues a variety of import and export licenses for food-trading companies, offering fully equipped office spaces.
Its dual-activity trade licenses allow businesses to operate multiple activities, maximizing their return on investment.
Additionally, Jafza businesses benefit from strategic partnerships, including those with Etihad Credit Insurance and leading banks.
Providing easy access to export financing for “Made in UAE” products.
Dubai Trade Portal
Jafza-issued license grants companies automatic access to the Dubai Trade Portal, a one-stop smart platform for cross-border trade.
This platform enables businesses to seamlessly access government services.
It also optimize supply chain operations and secure the best real-time shipping rates.
Through the Electronic Delivery Order System, traders can track shipments from their country of origin to Jafza.
Besides transferring them to their Dubai warehouses.
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ZADI Platform
ZADI platform, part of Dubai Trade, is an integrated system for importing and re-exporting food products.
Users can obtain competitive quotes for food items directly from their source country.
Upon arrival at Dubai’s ports, goods undergo a single unified inspection by Dubai Municipality and Dubai Customs.
Streamlining processes and reducing costs.
Jebel Ali’s Advanced Food Processing Facilities
Jebel Ali Port food and agricultural terminal offers world-class processing facilities, including:
- Grain storage silos
- Temperature-controlled food warehouses
- Dairy and meat processing facilities
- Tea and coffee processing plants
- Packaging and canning systems
Strategic Location & Multimodal Connectivity
Jafza provides a variety of covered, refrigerated, and frozen warehouses with flexible short- and long-term contracts.
Enabling businesses to store and distribute strategic food and beverage shipments worldwide.
Jebel Ali Port’s container yards are also equipped with electric plug-in points for refrigerated containers.
Jafza’s location is a major advantage, offering seamless multimodal connectivity by land, sea, and air.
Companies benefit from ultra-efficient maritime shipping via Jebel Ali Port and fast air freight via Al Maktoum International Airport, located nearby.
Whether a startup or a global manufacturer, Jafza provides businesses with the resources to accelerate growth and support local, regional, and global communities in overcoming supply chain disruptions.
