UAE · Gulf logistics
How Dubai plans to expand its Al Aweer food market
Dubai’s proposed Food District would expand Al Aweer’s produce market into a 29 million square foot wholesale and logistics hub. DP World’s plan adds cold storage and processing and schedules the start of the first phase for 2027.
Sources checked
- 2004Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market opens
Existing wholesale produce market begins operating Source 1
- July 2024Expansion first announced
Plans expand the existing market Source 1
- 3 November 2025DP World and Parkin announce parking agreement
Plan for automated access and management of vehicle movements Source 2
- January 2026DP World unveils Dubai Food District
29 million square feet proposed, with a wider product range Source 1
- 2027First phase scheduled to begin
Start of phased development under the operator’s timetable Source 1
The proposed first-phase start is a target, with later phases to follow.
The project expands a working wholesale market
Al Aweer opened in 2004 as a fruit and vegetable market. DP World said in January 2026 that it supported more than 2,500 traders. The proposed development would extend the trading offer to dairy, staples, specialty and gourmet food as well as fresh produce. Source 1
The 29 million square feet cover several functions
DP World describes the planned area as more than twice the size of the existing market. The proposal includes cold stores, temperature-controlled warehouses, processing facilities and cash-and-carry. The area figure covers the whole district and does not give capacity for cold storage alone. Source 1
Truck and vehicle access are a separate operating project
DP World and Parkin announced an automated parking system at the existing market in November 2025. It uses number-plate recognition and real-time information in the planned design. The parking work concerns movement through the existing site while the district expansion sets out a broader development programme. Source 1 Source 2
The first phase does not deliver the entire area
DP World scheduled the first phase to begin in 2027 and described subsequent growth in phases. The release gives the size of the planned hub but does not allocate the full footprint to the first phase. Its reference to more than 20 markets describes connectivity through DP World’s network. Source 1