Semmaris, the managing company of Rungis International Market, the largest wholesale fresh food market in the world — hosting around 1,200 companies — has partnered with the GAG Ghassan Aboud Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the Middle East, and KIZAD Abu Dhabi Port Authorities, a group of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, to support the creation of the future agro-logistics hub of Abu Dhabi. After three years of negotiations, the project, which aims at storing food products and deploying a logistic and digital capacity on a regional scale (the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman), is on track.
Semmaris has developed an international consultancy business to help with the creation of agro-logistic markets and hubs in Vietnam, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. As the world’s leading operator in terms of agro-logistics infrastructures, the company will aid in the implementation of the infrastructure, ensure the services, facilities and systems are world-class, and the site is sustainable, hygienic and a zero-waste ecosystem to cater to post-pandemic requisites.
Covering an area of 3.3 square kilometers in KIZAD, the Regional Food Hub – Abu Dhabi will be one of the largest of its kind in the region. Its ecosystem will feature trading pavilions, logistics services, refrigerated and ambient warehouses, critical government services, waste recycling facilities and various other support amenities and services. Food companies from all countries can offer their products and buyers will have a selection of thousands of fresh items managed in a safe, clean environment positioning the UAE as an important part of evolving global food supply chains.
By lowering the overall supply chain costs of food products, the project is designed to accelerate the government’s National Food Security Strategy and enhance food trade flow through Abu Dhabi. The food hub will provide a competitive ecosystem for both local and global players.
Stéphane Layani, president of the Rungis market, said: “Thanks to the expertise of Semmaris, the International Market of Rungis has become a flagship in agro-logistics in France and abroad. Abu Dhabi is emblematic of our international development strategy of a network of efficient and connected markets because it is a hub for new international trade routes. The country benefits from infrastructures and an economic and diplomatic environment that is highly favorable for the development of this project.”
H.E. Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and chairman of the Logistics Sector Development Committee in Abu Dhabi, said: “Food security and safety are among the top priorities of the UAE, and this major new trade hub will drive efficiencies in food supply chains and help improve safety, affordability and sustainable access for wholesalers in the UAE. At ADDED, we are keen to support the launch of the ‘Regional Food Hub – Abu Dhabi,’ which enhances public-private partnership, as part of our wider work to achieve a knowledge-based, diversified and sustainable economy.”
The Regional Food Hub – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Rungis, will also leverage cutting-edge technology to offer a digital marketplace that will provide a range of services for tenants and customers to increase adoption and ensure continuity while easing business by supporting key synergies between Abu Dhabi’s government entities and trade enablers.
