By Justyna Lehmann, Senior Director Health Care and Cold Chain, AJEX Logistics Services

In the desert climate of the Middle East region, one of the hottest on earth, where summer temperatures often soar well over 40°C, meeting the demand for fresh produce is no easy feat. From fruits and vegetables to animal products, transporting these perishable goods from farm to table over thousands of kilometers and multiple continents requires more than just speed.

In today’s always-on, digital-first world, we’ve grown accustomed to getting what we want, when we want it. With a few taps on a smartphone, groceries arrive at our doorsteps, fresh and fast. The ease of modern e-commerce has made food feel infinite, especially in the 24/7 urban economies of the Middle East. Yet governments across the region are well aware that ensuring food security in the dry and arid desert landscapes of the Middle East requires a little more than a few delivery trucks and a smart phone app. To meet the growing demand for premium, fresh, and on-demand grocery services, Gulf nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, recognize the need to intensify efforts to strengthen food security and reduce import dependency.

Take Saudi Arabia, for example. As part of its National Industrial Strategy, the Kingdom is ramping up domestic manufacturing across 12 high-potential sectors — including food and beverage (F&B). This includes major investments in vital infrastructure, such as the launch of dedicated food production zones across the country. The most notable is the Jeddah Food Cluster, unveiled in 2024. Spanning 11 million square meters, it’s the largest facility of its kind in the region and a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s plan to attract $20 billion in food industry investment by 2035.

Meeting these ambitious goals, however, requires a highly specialized cold chain —one that is digitally connected, resilient, and ready to meet the region’s growing demand for both food security and consumer convenience. Cold chain experts like AJEX, delivering infrastructure, technologies, and services adapted to regional requirements, are indispensable in this context.

AJEX cold chain leverages cutting-edge technologies, including live GPS tracking and real-time temperature monitoring, to ensure end-to-end visibility, reliability, and peace of mind for both retailers and consumers.

AJEX is also the only provider in Saudi Arabia offering advanced packaging solutions such as Phase Change Materials (PCM). Designed to preserve product freshness during long-distance and last-mile deliveries in the Gulf’s extreme heat, this specialized service is delivered by AJEX teams trained specifically in the use and handling of PCM-based packaging. Add to that our purpose-built facilities and stringent handling protocols, and our highly trained workforce is ready and equipped to meet the rising demands of the region. But infrastructure and staffing alone is not enough.

To meet both commercial and national goals, cold chain specialists must also adhere to strict compliance and regulatory standards, such as those set by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and demonstrate global best practices, including adherence to Good Distribution Practices (GDP). These regulations ensure that temperature-sensitive products meet quality and safety requirements throughout the supply chain, from warehousing to last-mile delivery. Compliance not only protects public health but also reinforces consumer confidence in e-grocery services, making regulatory alignment essential, alongside innovation and infrastructure investment. Attesting to its commitment to uphold the highest of industry regulations, not only regionally, but globally too, AJEX is SFDA certified and is a recipient of the Marken GDP Platinum Certification.

Together, these tools translate into greater confidence that the groceries have been kept fresh and safe throughout the supply chain, guaranteeing freshness for both retailers and consumers alike. But to unlock the full potential of online grocery shopping and guarantee future food security, investing in the training of a skilled workforce and supporting technology adoption across the cold chain will be vital to cater to growing demand. Moreover, public and private sectors will need to continue to work in tandem, aligning across regulatory frameworks and setting relevant standards and compliance measures.

For the Gulf, the challenge is clear — but so is the opportunity. An innovative cold chain isn’t just an enabler of food security; it is a critical frontline service with direct implications for national resilience, public health, and the everyday consumer experience. At AJEX, we stand ready to support the Gulf’s food security ambitions with the necessary cold chain infrastructure and expertise to building a sustainable, self-sufficient future.