Mohammed bin Rashid visits world’s largest privately owned dates factory at Dubai Industrial City
Dubai reaffirms leadership in advanced food industries and global food security
Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited Al Barakah Dates Factory, the world’s largest privately owned dates factory, located in Dubai Industrial City.
Spanning more than 800,000 square feet and with an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes, the facility is among the world’s leading centres for the processing and packaging of dates.
During the visit, His Highness said that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for advanced food industries, driven by innovation, integrated production chains, and initiatives aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of national products.
He noted that the dates industry represents a successful transformation of the UAE’s agricultural heritage into a modern, high‑value sector, contributing to economic growth and supporting national and global food security efforts.
His Highness added that the UAE remains committed to investing in key sectors that directly impact people’s lives, particularly the food sector, while advancing national industries through cutting‑edge technologies, higher production efficiency, and expanded access to international markets.
Sheikh Mohammed also emphasised that dates are an integral part of the UAE’s identity and heritage, and that the sector’s development reflects a broader vision of transforming natural resources into sustainable economic opportunities. He further noted that humanitarian initiatives linked to the industry, including efforts to combat malnutrition, underline the UAE’s ongoing commitment to improving lives and addressing global food security challenges.
During the visit, His Highness was accompanied by His Excellency Malek Al Malek, Chairman of TECOM Group. The delegation was briefed by Saleem Mohammed, founder of Al Barakah Dates Factory, and his son Yousuf Saleem Mohammed, Managing Director, on the facility’s advanced production lines, manufacturing and packaging processes, and its diverse product portfolio.
His Highness also reviewed the global reach of the factory’s exports, which currently extend to 97 countries, including major markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Al Barakah Dates Factory is located in Dubai Industrial City, one of TECOM Group’s specialised industrial zones, launched in 2004.
Dubai Industrial City hosts more than 350 factories and employs over 17,000 people. Its strategic location near Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Etihad Rail’s freight terminal provides strong regional and international logistics connectivity.
Founded by businessman Saleem Mohammed, who began his career in Dubai in 1983 before entering the dates trading and processing sector in the 1990s, the factory stands as a leading example of private sector success in the UAE’s food manufacturing industry.