AD Ports tapped for grain storage + processing plant: Emirates Food Industries Group — a member of National Holding Group — inked a 50-year land lease agreement with AD Ports Group to develop a AED 2 bn grain storage and processing complex at Khalifa Port’s South Quay, according to a statement.

Starting with silos…: The firm will initially set up grain silos at the port, with the facility — spanning some 100k sqm — slated to have a storage capacity of around 150k metric tons. The complex will have direct access to deep-water berths, in a bid to streamline the journey from vessel to silo.

…and a processing plant later down the line? The firm is expected to launch a grain processing plant at the port complex at a later stage, the statement said, without disclosing a timeline.

The move will boost the UAE’s storage capacity for strategic food commodities — in turn supporting national food security. “The access to Khalifa Port’s world-class facilities will enable us to optimize our supply chain, expand our storage capacity, and ensure a consistent flow of essential food products to meet the growing regional demand,” Emirates Food Industries Group CEO Joseph Abdo said.

Khalifa Port’s been getting a lot of attention: Oylz Terminals is also building a 600k cbm petroleum storage facility at the port, while flour producer Al Ain Mills will establish a grain storage and processing facility at Khalifa Port’s South Quay after inking an agreement in February.

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