Solico Group launches US$35.4M SoFood manufacturing facility in Dubai
First phase to focus on meat and protein, with dairy and food service categories planned
UAE – Solico Group has opened a new food manufacturing facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, investing US$35.4 million to establish SoFood as its regional innovation and international production hub serving Gulf and export markets.
The facility, developed as Solico Group’s largest investment in the United Arab Emirates to date, is positioned as a central manufacturing base to support regional distribution and supply international markets from Dubai.
Located on a 5,000 square metre site within Jafza, the plant is equipped with European-made processing systems and has an initial production capacity of up to 40 tonnes per day, with a layout designed to accommodate additional product lines without interrupting ongoing operations.
Company representatives said the site was designed to meet rising demand for locally produced food in the region, with an emphasis on shortening supply chains and maintaining consistent production volumes across multiple categories.
Solico Group founder and chairman Gholamali Soleimani said the decision to expand manufacturing in the UAE reflects the country’s role as a base for regional food production and a platform for long-term capacity development.
The company said it plans to execute most of the project within the UAE, linking the facility to domestic industrial activity while transferring technical expertise developed across its international operations into the local market.
From a supply chain perspective, the project marks a shift toward in-country processing rather than reliance on trading and imports, with future expansion expected to increase total investment to between two and three times the initial level as capacity grows.
Production rollout and expansion plans
The first production phase will focus on meat and protein products under Solico’s Pemina brand, targeting distribution across Gulf markets as well as exports beyond the region.
Subsequent phases are expected to add cheese, dairy products, premixes, sauces, and co-packed items for hotels, airlines, and food service operators, with product selection based on regional consumption patterns and export demand.
SoFood is also intended to function as Solico Group’s regional development centre, adapting product formulations to Middle Eastern preferences while supporting local employment, technical training, and operational knowledge transfer.
DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said manufacturers continue to choose Jafza as a base for regional production and exports, citing the zone’s logistics links and industrial infrastructure.
The facility incorporates energy- and water-efficient systems and operates under food safety and quality certifications, including ISO 22000, HACCP, Halal standards, and Dubai Municipality Grade A requirements.
Operating within the Jebel Ali logistics ecosystem, SoFood provides Solico with access to global shipping routes connecting markets with a combined consumer base exceeding three billion people.
SoFood FZCO was established in 2021 as Solico Group’s UAE manufacturing arm.
Solico Group, founded in 1971, reports annual turnover exceeding US$1 billion and operates 16 factories with more than 25,000 employees across multiple countries.
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