Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group and Barakat Group have commenced construction of a dedicated baby food manufacturing facility at KEZAD.
The project is being developed through Barakat Group’s joint venture with Pure Baby Food Industries and represents the Gulf Cooperation Council’s first industrial-scale facility exclusively focused on the production of baby food purées.
The development reflects growing investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s industrial ecosystem and its capacity to support specialized, high-value manufacturing.
With a total investment of approximately $40.8 million (AED 150 million), the 10,000 square meter facility will enhance local food manufacturing capacity and support growing regional demand for high-quality, locally produced infant nutrition products.
Once fully operational, the plant is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of 90 million units, covering fruit and vegetable purées as well as protein-rich meat and fish baby foods.
The products will be manufactured using fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish and packaged in both pouch and glass-jar formats. Selected ambient juice products will also be produced as part of the integrated operation.
The project is projected to create around 200 direct jobs across manufacturing, quality assurance, food safety, logistics, and operational support functions. Additional indirect employment opportunities are expected across local supply chains, logistics services, and agricultural sourcing networks.
Importantly, the facility is being designed as a fully halal-certified manufacturing plant, applying comprehensive halal standards across the entire baby food category, including protein-based meat and fish purées. This approach addresses a notable gap in the GCC market, where locally produced, halal-compliant protein infant foods remain limited.
Abdullah Al Hameli CEO Economic Cities & Free Zones AD Ports Group
“This investment reflects the scale and sophistication of food manufacturing projects now choosing KEZAD. The projected production capacity and employment impact underline how specialized manufacturing can deliver both economic value and strategic resilience within the food sector.”
Kenneth D’Costa, Managing Director of Barakat Group, noted that, “By expanding our production footprint into premium infant nutrition, this facility reinforces Barakat Group’s mission to nourish the ambitions of the nation. Establishing dedicated capacity within KEZAD allows us to meet regional demand efficiently while creating skilled employment and maintaining the highest standards of quality and halal compliance.”
Designed in line with international best practices for food safety, quality assurance, and traceability, the facility will prioritize nutrition, freshness, and clean-label production.
It is expected to reduce reliance on imported baby food products and contribute to the development of a robust domestic halal baby food manufacturing ecosystem.
