Dubai Municipality has unveiled the city’s latest gem, the Bloom Market, an expansive air-conditioned fruit and vegetable market spanning an impressive 66,000 sqm. As the region’s largest air-conditioned facility of its kind, Bloom Market seeks to redefine the way residents shop for fresh produce, offering a welcome respite from the sweltering summer heat.
Inaugurated by Dawood Al Hajri, director general of Dubai Municipality, the Bloom Market is located in Ras Al Khor Industrial Area 3, a mere kilometer away from Dubai’s Central Fruit and Vegetable Market in Al Aweer. With its grand opening festivities, including vibrant African drum beats and lively songs, the market welcomed guests to explore an array of colorful fruits and vegetables, stacked neatly across various stalls.
The two-storey indoor market boasts modern logistical services, storage facilities, display equipment, and three restaurants. Furthermore, it provides 400 parking spaces in the basement and ample space for trucks to unload fresh produce directly into the market.
According to Mohammed Faraidooni, director of Markets at Dubai Municipality, the ground floor offers a leasable area of 7,600 sqm for selling fruits and vegetables, with an additional 5,500 sqm for logistics. Over 760 traders have been allotted stalls to operate fruit and vegetable stores on the ground floor.
Faraidooni emphasized the market’s unique blend of offerings, featuring locally-grown fruits and vegetables directly from UAE farms, as well as exclusively imported varieties not found in other markets. This distinctive shopping hub caters to both business-to-consumer and business-to-business customers, including businesses in the hospitality sector and general consumers seeking fresh produce in bulk or retail quantities.
Contrary to concerns that the Bloom Market might compete with the neighboring open-air Central Fruit and Vegetable Market, Faraidooni clarified that the two facilities complement each other. The old market, which is currently undergoing further revamping, will continue to provide wholesale services to businesses while the Bloom Market focuses on enhancing the retail shopping experience.
The future expansion plans for the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market include the addition of dates, dry fruits, eggs, and poultry, while a new app will be launched to enable online sales of fresh produce from the market. Additionally, cold storage facilities will be introduced to preserve perishable items effectively.
The Bloom Market, contracted to Nas Group for its operations, logistics, and IT support, promises ease of shopping with various services to enhance the customer experience. From assisting shoppers with carts, transporting purchases to their vehicles, providing in-market parking, and offering cleaning services to reduce traffic, the municipality aims to deliver a smooth and convenient shopping experience.
Traders and investors have expressed optimism about the market’s prospects. Anwar Hussain from Pakistan and Deepa Hemamali from Sri Lanka, two traders at the market, appreciate the convenience and facilities offered, while investors Abdalla Muhith and Nahid Rahman see the market’s potential for good business opportunities.
As Dubai’s newest cool oasis for fresh produce, the Bloom Market is set to redefine the way residents shop for fruits and vegetables, ensuring a comfortable and vibrant shopping experience amidst the city’s scorching summer.
Bloom Market Locaion