Solico Group Unveils AED 130M SoFood Center in UAE

Solico Group, a prominent food manufacturer in the Middle East, has launched SoFood, a state-of-the-art AED 130 million ($35.4 million) production hub in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). This facility stands as Solico’s largest investment in the UAE, establishing a base for GCC innovation and international manufacturing.

Occupying a 5,000 m² area, SoFood is engineered for versatility, allowing swift entry into diverse food categories while maintaining operational flow. With an initial production output of up to 40 tons daily, the facility is fitted with advanced European manufacturing technologies.

Gholamali Soleimani, Founder and Group Chairman of Solico Group, remarked, “The UAE features one of the most vibrant ecosystems for food manufacturing. This investment fortifies our regional footprint, endorses food security, and resonates with the core values on which my family established this company over 50 years ago.”

Renowned for having established the first milk refinery in Central Asia, Solico will leverage its manufacturing and innovative prowess within the UAE. The facility aims to bolster the nation's industrial growth, expand domestic production capabilities, and evolve supply chains from trade-driven models to value-added manufacturing.

The inaugural phase of SoFood will emphasize meat and protein production under the Pemina brand, distributing products across the GCC and global markets. Subsequent phases will diversify into cheese, dairy, premixes, sauces, and co-packing solutions for the food service sector. These selections were made based on regional significance and opportunities for localization and export.

Additionally, SoFood will act as Solico’s innovation center, customizing products for Middle Eastern preferences, enhancing freshness through efficient supply chains, and promoting local job creation, skill enhancement, and knowledge sharing.

His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, CEO and Group Chairman of DP World, stated, “Solico’s significant investment at Jafza showcases Dubai’s robust industrial ecosystem. This facility will elevate food security, generate high-caliber jobs, and encourage growth in value-added manufacturing in the UAE.”

The plant highlights environmentally sustainable practices, incorporating energy and water-efficient systems, waste-reducing processes, and various certifications, including ISO 22000, HACCP, Halal, and Dubai Municipality Grade A.

Situated within the DP World-managed Jebel Ali ecosystem, SoFood offers direct access to global logistics networks, enabling Solico to serve over 3 billion consumers in adjacent markets and aligning with the UAE’s “Make it in the Emirates” manufacturing initiative.