37,000 sqm facility aims to enhance UAE food security and solidifies Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s position as the largest of its kind in the region 

Abu Dhabi Food Hub, AD Ports Group’s integrated food trade and logistics hub, announced the signing of an agreement with Axione Development for the development of advanced cold chain infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.

In accordance with the agreement, which underlines the growing confidence in the Emirate’s upcoming premier food platform, Axione Development will develop a dedicated cold chain facility on a 37,000 sqm plot under a 50-year land lease agreement to support the broader ecosystem of traders and businesses that will operate within Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s integrated marketplace. Designed as enabling infrastructure for the wider market, the facility will strengthen critical cold chain capabilities serving wholesale trade, distribution and value-added food supply activities.

Abdulla Al Hameli, CEO Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group, said: “Food security is a national priority for the UAE and an essential pillar of our sustainable economic development. Strong partnerships such as our deal with Axione Development strengthen this long-term goal of world-class infrastructure, diversified trade corridors, and strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. Within this wider vision, Abu Dhabi Food Hub represents how national priorities can be translated into practical market infrastructure that supports the efficient movement, storage, and trade of food products. We are pleased to see the project continue to progress through partnerships such as this, reinforcing its role in becoming a central food trade gateway for the UAE and the wider region.”

The agreement reflects continued momentum in the development of Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s next-generation wholesale market ecosystem, which brings together wholesale trade, logistics, warehousing, distribution and digital enablement within a single integrated platform designed to enhance the efficiency and resilience of regional food supply chains.

The development of advanced cold chain infrastructure forms a key component of the Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s broader proposition to support the UAE’s long-term food security ambitions through modern, future-ready trade and supply chain infrastructure. The agreement also signals expanding customer and investor interest in Abu Dhabi Food Hub as construction progresses, and the project advances toward operational readiness by Q4 2026.

As a landmark agreement within the Hub’s commercial development journey, the partnership with Axione Development further reinforces Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s role in shaping a globally connected wholesale and logistics ecosystem for food trade in the region.

Jens Michel, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Food Hub, said: “Our objective is to build an ecosystem where traders and supply chain partners can operate with greater efficiency, reliability, and access to modern infrastructure. This agreement with Axione Development marks an important client milestone for Abu Dhabi Food Hub and reinforces the market demand for purpose-built facilities that support the evolving needs of regional and global food trade.”

Mikhail Zarkhi, Managing Partner of Axione Development, said: “We are pleased to partner with Abu Dhabi Food Hub on this strategic development. Our focus is to deliver modern, high-specification cold chain infrastructure that meets the evolving operational requirements of today’s food businesses. Through this project, we aim to support food trade with efficient and reliable infrastructure capabilities that enable business growth, strengthen supply continuity, and contribute to a more resilient food ecosystem.”

Daniel Ilizarov, Managing Partner of Axione Development, said: “This project represents a strategic step in expanding institutional-grade infrastructure within the UAE. We see Abu Dhabi Food Hub as a unique platform combining trade, logistics, and regulatory efficiency, which creates a compelling environment for long-term capital deployment. Our objective is to deliver scalable, high-performance assets that align with global standards and support the continued growth of regional food supply chains.”

Strategically located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi Food Hub is set to become a central gateway for food trade, connecting global supply with regional demand through modern infrastructure, efficient logistics, and a collaborative business environment