Solico Group Launches AED 130 Million SoFood Facility in Jafza to Boost Regional Food Manufacturing
Solico Group has launched SoFood, a new AED 130 million (about $35.4 million) purpose-built food production facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), marking the company’s largest investment in the UAE so far. The facility is designed to serve as Solico’s GCC innovation and international manufacturing hub, supporting both regional demand and export-focused food production.
The company says the project strengthens the UAE’s position as a key location for high-value food manufacturing at a time when demand for locally produced, export-ready food is rising.
Built to scale quickly
SoFood has been constructed on a site of 5,000 square meters and is equipped with advanced European technology, capable of producing up to 40 tonnes a day at the outset. The factory has been constructed on a modular basis that enables the introduction of new products to be carried out without much disturbance to the daily operations.
Areas of focus: protein, dairy and value-added foods.
Positioned to bolster the food manufacturing power across various categories, the plant is able to provide more capacity and flexibility in the fields of protein, dairy and value-added solutions, which have become very popular in the GCC market.
What Solico leadership said
Gholamali Soleimani, Founder and Group Chairman of Solico Group, said the UAE provides a strong ecosystem for industrial growth and food manufacturing. He added that the investment supports deeper regional expansion, allows Solico to transfer its expertise into the UAE, and helps build production capability meant to support food security over the long term.
The launch also reflects the company’s wider history in food manufacturing, built over more than five decades.
Why Jafza matters in this decision
Jafza continues to attract manufacturers that want to produce within the region and export globally. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said Solico’s decision to make its largest UAE investment in Jafza highlights the strength of Dubai’s industrial ecosystem. He also said the investment is expected to support food security, create high-quality jobs, and help the UAE expand value-added manufacturing.
Bigger picture: food resilience and exports
Solico’s SoFood investment is being viewed as part of a broader shift in the UAE toward localising production, building manufacturing resilience, and strengthening the country’s ability to produce food at a standard that supports both regional distribution and international exports.