UAE Prime Minister and vice-president Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has revealed the blueprint for Dubai Food Park (DFP), which will be the first location in the Middle East focused on the food sector.

Marking the latest addition to Dubai Wholesale City (DWSC), the DFP project will be developed with a $1.5bn investment.

Upon completion of the DFP, Dubai is expected to become as one of the major regional hub for food wholesale, import, export and re-export.

“DFP has been established to meet the increased need for specialised logistical services to reduce supply chain costs."

DFP will be built on 48 million square feet within DWSC, which is reported to be the worlds largest wholesale hub occupying 550 million square feet that will be completed over a ten-year period with an estimated cost of $8.2bn.

DWSC CEO Abdulla Belhoul said: “DFP has been established to meet the increased need for specialised logistical services to reduce supply chain costs.

“The Park will be a one-stop destination for governmental, administrative and logistical services related to food wholesale, import, export and re-export.”

The DFP will feature a central wholesale market, a logistics area, a designated space for handling packaged goods, an organic waste recycling facility and a comprehensive range of governmental services, including customs clearance, licensing, food safety and inspection.

The park is to play a key role in supporting global food security and innovation across the sector.

UAE has unveiled its plans to build DFP at a time when food trade comprises 11% of the country’s GDP and the food industry is estimated to grow by 70% to $6.3bn by 2030.