KEZAD to Host GCC’s First Baby Food Mega Plant

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group) and Barakat Group have announced the start of construction of a dedicated baby food manufacturing facility in KEZAD. The project is being developed through Barakat Group’s joint venture with Pure Baby Food Industries.

The new facility will be the Gulf Cooperation Council’s first industrial-scale plant dedicated entirely to producing baby food purées. The project involves a total investment of approximately AED150 million.

Spread over 10,000 square metres, the plant is expected to produce up to 90 million units of baby food annually once fully operational. The product range will include fruit and vegetable purées, as well as protein-based baby foods made from meat and fish. The products will be made using fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish, and will be packed in both pouches and glass jars. Selected ambient juice products will also be produced as part of the integrated operation.

The facility is expected to create around 200 direct jobs in areas such as manufacturing, food safety, quality control, logistics, and operations. It will also generate additional indirect jobs across local supply chains, agriculture, and logistics sectors.

The plant is being designed as a fully halal-certified facility, with end-to-end halal certification covering all baby food categories, including meat and fish-based purées. This will help address the limited availability of locally produced, halal-certified protein baby foods in the GCC market.

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities & Free Zones Cluster at AD Ports Group, said the project reflects the growing scale and advanced nature of food manufacturing investments in KEZAD. He added that the facility’s production capacity and job creation highlight how specialised manufacturing strengthens the food sector and supports economic growth.

Kenneth D Costa, Managing Director of Barakat Group, said the new plant will expand the company’s footprint in premium infant nutrition. He stated that establishing production in KEZAD will help meet regional demand efficiently, create skilled jobs, and maintain high standards of quality and halal compliance.

The facility will follow international standards for food safety, quality, and traceability. It aims to prioritise nutrition, freshness, and clean-label production. The project is also expected to reduce reliance on imported baby food products and support the growth of a domestic halal baby food manufacturing ecosystem.

This development aligns with national goals related to food security, local manufacturing, and value-added food production, marking an important step in the continued growth of Abu Dhabi’s food processing sector within KEZAD.