Central vegetables, fruits market launch by mid-year
Khazaen Economic City is set to open doors to Khazaen Central Market for Vegetables and Fruits – Silal – by the end of the first half of 2024, with 98% of the project now complete.
Salem bin Sulaiman al Dhuhli, CEO of Khazaen Economic City, announced that the central market project, a key component of Food City, is poised to become the largest and most modern market in the region, showcasing over Ro50mn in private sector investments. Designed as both a local and an international hub for the marketing, distribution, storage, import and re-export of vegetables and fruits, Silal marks a significant advancement in the agricultural sector.
While spread over 500,000sqm, five times the area of the existing market, it offers yet more room for future expansion. “The new market not only aims to significantly reduce the current 30-35% loss or damage rate of produce but also opens a plethora of investment opportunities for small and medium enterprises. These opportunities range from ground handling and
business centre operations to sales kiosks throughout the market, revitalising the concept of agricultural marketing for local products,” said Dhuhli.
The market will feature several integrated facilities essential for supporting the food logistics sector, including central refrigeration, a wholesale market, dry warehouses, vegetable and fruit sorting workshops, a customs inspection platform, agricultural quarantine, a food safety laboratory, and areas designated for local product sales and marketing, alongside administrative offices for wholesalers.
Dhuhli emphasised the strategic goals of Khazaen central market. Foremost among these is bolstering the food security strategy by attracting both local and international investments into the food sector.