Anabtawi’s AED150 Million Ice Cream Factory Signals Robust Regional Manufacturing Ambition

A new state-of-the-art production facility at Dubai Industrial City positions the regional food manufacturer to serve the GCC and MENA markets while reinforcing the UAE's standing as a manufacturing hub.

The appetite for regionally produced frozen confections has grown considerably across the Arabian Peninsula, and Anabtawi Food Industries has answered that call with the inauguration of a substantial new manufacturing facility at Dubai Industrial City. The AED150 million investment represents far more than a single factory opening; it embodies a confident commitment to the UAE’s capacity to nurture food production at scale and export it across a region hungry for quality products.

Spanning 172,000 square feet, the facility has been engineered with considerable sophistication. Its flexible production lines are capable of manufacturing more than 45 million litres of ice cream annually, a volume that speaks to the ambition embedded in its design. The factory can produce everything from ten-millilitre bite-sized portions to ten-litre commercial tubs, adapting seamlessly to the demands of retail partners, distributors and commercial customers across the region. This versatility is the hallmark of thoughtful industrial planning.

What distinguishes this operation is the rigour of its infrastructure. The facility operates under FSSC 22000 certification, adhering to international food safety standards that ensure product integrity at every stage. Underpinning the manufacturing process is an integrated cold chain network comprising a dedicated fleet of refrigerated vehicles that maintain temperatures below minus 18 degrees Celsius, supported by cold storage hubs positioned strategically across the UAE. This commitment to maintaining product quality from production line to final delivery reflects an understanding that excellence in manufacturing extends far beyond the factory walls.

The venture will serve dual purposes: supporting Anabtawi’s MiniMax brand across the UAE, whilst establishing a robust export base for the GCC and broader MENA markets. The company will additionally provide bespoke private-label manufacturing and co-packing services, positioning itself as a partner to distributors and importers seeking reliable production capacity.

Zahi Anabtawi, Chairman of Anabtawi Food Industries, framed the opening as a milestone in the company’s long-term expansion strategy, emphasising the factory’s role in serving diverse consumer needs whilst offering retail partners tailored manufacturing solutions. Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President for Industrial at TECOM Group, situated the development within the broader context of the UAE’s industrial policy, noting that the factory exemplifies Dubai’s appeal to both local and international investors and its growing ecosystem of food and beverage manufacturers serving regional and global markets.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The establishment of this manufacturing facility reinforces the UAE’s credentials as a dependable hub for industrial production and regional export. As the nation pursues its ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative and broader economic diversification objectives, investments in food manufacturing capacity demonstrate the tangible outcomes of policies designed to attract substantial private sector investment. The facility’s capacity to produce for the GCC and MENA markets extends the UAE’s economic influence beyond its borders whilst creating employment and technological expertise domestically.

This development also underscores the competitive advantage that the Emirate’s industrial zones, with their integrated infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, offer to manufacturers seeking to scale operations efficiently. The cold chain networks and logistics capabilities that support this ice cream factory reflect the sophisticated services ecosystem that continues to differentiate the region in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Source: WAM