Food manufacturing, food trading, and F&B import-export companies in the UAE benefit from free zones that offer food-grade warehousing, cold chain logistics, and streamlined regulatory approvals for food products.
Dubai Industrial City (DIC)
Dubai Industrial City is the preferred free zone for food manufacturing companies in Dubai. It offers purpose-built food-grade factories, halal-certified production facilities, and proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port. DIC hosts companies like Arla Foods, Agthia Group, and major FMCG manufacturers. Licence for food manufacturing: AED 15,000–30,000/year. Factory units: AED 35–65 per sqft annually. DIC has a dedicated Food Safety cluster with pre-approved layouts for food production units.
KEZAD Group (Abu Dhabi)
KEZAD is Abu Dhabi’s preferred zone for food manufacturing, offering the largest concentration of integrated food production facilities in the UAE outside Dubai. KEZAD clients benefit from subsidised utilities, discounted port access at Khalifa Port, and direct coordination with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) for product approvals. Best for large-scale food producers needing significant land area and logistics integration.
Food Safety Regulations in UAE Free Zones
All food businesses in UAE free zones must comply with UAE Federal Law No. 10 of 2015 on food safety. Products must be registered with the relevant Emirates’ food safety authority (Dubai Municipality for Dubai, ADAFSA for Abu Dhabi). Halal certification from an accredited body is mandatory for products intended for the domestic UAE market or re-export to Muslim-majority countries. Cold-chain operations require Dubai Municipality or ADAFSA warehouse approval.
Cost Comparison
| Free Zone | Best For | Factory Cost (AED/sqft/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Industrial City | FMCG, packaged food, halal production | 35–65 |
| KEZAD | Large-scale food manufacturing, agri-processing | 20–45 |
| Sharjah Industrial Area | Budget-friendly food processing, SMEs | 15–35 |
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEZAD | Free Zone Business Start-Up 1-visa package | AED 8,000–16,000 effective Year 1 (Abu Dhabi government waives licence fees for first 2 years; pay only visa + cards); without waiver: AED 17,000–26,000 (licence AED 9,000–14,000 + establishment card AED 1,500 + immigration card AED 1,500 + 1 visa AED 3,400–6,500) Confidence: Verified official price |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current annual package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
AED 22,575 official 3-year 1-visa package including VAT Confidence: Verified official price |
Published packages for 1 to 4 visas | Shared workstation or dedicated office is listed in the startup solution | Verified official price | Official authority package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | July 2026 |
| What is included | The official startup solution lists a free-zone business licence, shared workstation or dedicated office, internet/Wi-Fi and the selected visa provision. Published package amounts include VAT. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Renewal after the selected validity period, extra visas, immigration extras, insurance, industrial facility, utilities, regulated approvals and advisory services unless included in the selected package. |
| Hidden-cost risk | The AED 22,575 amount is a published three-year package, not a Year 1 figure multiplied by an assumed renewal. Industrial, warehouse and land-led configurations require separate quotations. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Manufacturing, industrial, logistics, warehouse and large facility-led businesses. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.