Al Baraka date factory showcases UAE drive to lead global date industry
Sheikh Mohammed inspects Al Baraka date factory in Dubai Industrial City, highlighting UAE investment in advanced food industries and export growth to 97 countries.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid visited the Al Baraka date factory in Dubai Industrial City to review operations and underscore the UAE’s strategy to develop an advanced date industry. The visit highlighted the government’s push to turn traditional agricultural assets into high-value manufacturing through technology, scale and international market access. Al Baraka date factory was presented as a flagship example of how heritage products are being industrialised to support national economy and food security.
Sheikh Mohammed inspects Al Baraka production lines
During the tour, Sheikh Mohammed received briefings from founder Salim Mohammed and factory director Yousif Salim Mohammed on processing stages and product ranges. Officials outlined lines for canned dates, date paste, date syrup and date powder, and explained the integrated packing, hygiene and cold-chain systems that support the factory’s output. The visit reinforced senior leadership backing for investments that raise competitiveness and quality in the UAE’s food manufacturing sector.
Factory scale and manufacturing capacity
Al Baraka occupies roughly 800,000 sq ft inside Dubai Industrial City and reports an annual production capacity of about 100,000 tonnes. Company leaders described the plant as the world’s largest privately owned date processing facility, designed to handle both raw fruit and multiple value‑added derivatives. The physical scale and automated processes were cited as critical to achieving economies of scale and consistent product standards required by global buyers.
Global export footprint and market destinations
Executives briefed the delegation that Al Baraka exports to 97 countries, positioning the factory as a major supplier in international date markets. The United States was identified as the leading destination for date paste and syrup used in food manufacturing, followed by the United Kingdom and other European Union markets. South and Southeast Asian markets such as Bangladesh, India and Indonesia continue to be primary destinations for canned and packaged dates, reflecting diverse consumer demand and trade partnerships.
Dubai Industrial City’s logistical role
The factory’s location within Dubai Industrial City was highlighted as a key enabler of export performance and operational efficiency. Dubai Industrial City, an industrial cluster established by TECOM Group, hosts more than 350 factories and over 17,000 employees, offering proximity to Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport and the Etihad Rail freight network. Company representatives said the integrated logistics and business ecosystem reduce transit times, lower costs and improve the factory’s ability to serve regional and global supply chains.
From family trade to industrialised date manufacturing
Al Baraka’s founder began in Dubai’s food trade in 1983 and shifted focus to date commerce and processing during the 1990s, illustrating a transition from merchant activity to industrial entrepreneurship. The company’s evolution mirrors a broader UAE trend of converting cultural agricultural products into exportable, high‑value goods through investment in processing technology and branding. Officials noted that this transition has also created new jobs, expanded supplier networks and provided opportunities for smallholder growers to access structured markets.
Industry impact on food security and humanitarian initiatives
Senior leadership emphasised that developing the date industry supports national food security goals while enabling humanitarian contributions abroad. The factory’s range of shelf‑stable, nutrient‑dense products is used in commercial food production and in programmes addressing malnutrition, according to officials. Investments in processing capacity and quality assurance were framed as both an economic priority and a means for the UAE to deliver practical food aid solutions internationally.
Al Baraka’s campus and production model were presented to Sheikh Mohammed as a template for scaling other food sectors, demonstrating how targeted investment, logistics integration and international market development can convert traditional crops into modern industrial exports. The visit signals continued government and private sector collaboration to expand UAE food manufacturing, deepen export links and position local brands on global shelves while contributing to employment and food resilience.