Middle Eastern poultry specialist Tanmiah Food Company has identified the local production of ‘bigger chickens’ as a key focus for its new collaboration with McDonald’s Saudi Arabia.
“Raising bigger chickens for deboning and further processing has long been a challenge in Saudi Arabia’s demanding climate and challenging farming conditions,” Tanmiah CEO Zulfiqar Hamadani said.
“This new collaboration with McDonald’s Saudi Arabia is more than just a supply agreement – it is a step forward for food security, innovation, and sustainability practices in this market.”
The majority breed of local Saudi chicken is the Saudi Baladi variant, which is generally smaller and has lower egg production as well as smaller eggs than other breeds due to the desert climate they have adapted to.
“Today, Tanmiah stands as the region’s only poultry supplier recognized for reliably raising bigger chickens for further processing, which meets the highest standards of food safety and quality,” said Zulfiqar.
“We leverage advanced, tech-enabled environmental controls and stringent farming practices to consistently produce bigger birds that meet the highest standards of food safety and regulatory compliance.”
Importantly, Tanmiah guarantees its chickens are not fed hormones to increase size, and are raised in a cageless environment on a diet of corn.
“Tanmiah is proud to play a pivotal role in building a resilient, world-class halal protein ecosystem,” added Zulqifar.
Chicken for McDonald’s
Chicken is the most-consumed meat in Saudi Arabia, but its self-sufficiency was just around 60% as of 2020, according to data from the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA).
The government has also implemented national food strategies looking to work with private companies such as Tanmiah to increase the level of chicken self-sufficiency to over 85% by 2030, in order to ensure food security, under its Vision 2030.
Chicken also makes up a large portion of the menu in McDonald’s, making local sourcing an important development for the quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain.
“There is growing demand for premium, locally raised poultry in the QSR sector –[McDonald’s Saudi Arabia takes] great pride in supporting the national economy and advancing local content [such as] localising poultry production,” McDonald’s Saudi Arabia Co-CEO His Highness Prince Majed Fahed Al Saud said.
Growing demand for prepared poultry
Tanmiah is a major player in both live poultry as well as prepared poultry products, and the latter has become increasingly important in the local market.
This has been driven by more women entering the workforce after the country opened up its market, making pre-processed items like marinated chicken breasts and kebabs a faster, more convenient option for meal preparation.
“Tanmiah has launched tender, marinated chicken breasts in several flavours in Saudi Arabia for the first time,” said the firm.
“Popular options include tandoori, spicy, and Shish Tawouk flavours, providing convenient, tasty options for cooking meals.”
