DP World, UAE Region in collaboration with the UAE Food & Beverage Manufacturers Group recently hosted ‘The Food & Beverages Manufacturing Industry 2021 Dialogue’ emphasising the significance of the sector to the UAE’s economy.

The entity’s recently launched F&B Terminal will act as a catalyst for positive change and development in the F&B manufacturing industry.

Saleh Lootah, Chairman, UAE Food & Beverage Manufacturers Group (FBMG), under the auspices of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, discussed the UAE Food & Beverage Manufacturers Group (FBMG) Annual Report 2020 that highlighted the core competencies of the F&B Manufacturing sector in the UAE that is home to 568 F&B factories with a maximum production capacity of 16,302 thousand tonnes.

With a high inflow of tourists and the presence of globally renowned food and beverage brands, the UAE has been at the forefront of the F&B sector in the region for years. Currently, with the investments already made, the local production has sufficient capacity and headroom for growth, which is testimony of the scope and potential in the sector.

Considering all the growth determinants, the FBMG Annual Report identified opportunities and underlined the significance of maintaining sustainability in the overall F&B sector with a focus on various sub-sectors – dairy products, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables, beverages and the snacking industry. It also shed light on production and consumption trends in 2020 and local initiatives that boost business in the sector.

The F&B sector is one of the most important economic pillars in DP World, UAE Region’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). This sector enjoys unique advantages that make establishing an F&B company an unparalleled opportunity for business growth with the highest operational efficiency and economic feasibility.

Jafza features a dedicated food cluster spread over an area of 1.55 million sq m, supporting over 4,700 port customers and hosting over 550 companies from more than 70 countries.