Middle East

OCTAL to open DPET extrusion factory in US

Plans to grow in South America, Europe and North America

OCTAL to open DPET extrusion factory in US

By Jenny Eagle

Oman-based OCTAL will open an extrusion factory in Cincinnati, US, in December and has joined the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) for greater visibility on what it does.

Mazola eyes major growth after factory upgrade

Mazola eyes major growth after factory upgrade

By Eliot Beer

Following a major manufacturing upgrade, Mazola in the Middle East is targeting 25% growth in sales over the next two years, and plans to extend its range of products.

Global Halal market to hit $1.6tn by 2018

Global Halal market to hit $1.6tn by 2018

By Eliot Beer

The global Halal food market will be worth US$1.6tn by 2018, up from US$1.1tn in 2013, according to a report commissioned by Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

Australia exporting livestock to Egypt again after cruelty concerns were addressed

Egypt resumes Australian breeder animal imports

By Eliot Beer

Egypt has resumed imports of breeding animals from Australia, four months after agreeing to restart trade in livestock between the two countries, the Australian government announces.

Delta Food is expanding to produce cream, milk and tea packaging, it says

Delta Food plans expansion with $11m investment

By Eliot Beer

Sharjah food producer Delta Food will invest US$11m in expanding its facilities in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) to drive expansion into new markets.

McDonald's packaging supplier, Gulf Printing and Packaging (GPP), is expanding...

Kizad bags Mcdonald’s packaging firm GPP

By Eliot Beer

Gulf Printing and Packaging (GPP), the exclusive packaging provider to McDonald’s in the Middle East, has signed a US$22m deal to take a plot at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad).

Rumours persist that the Al Kharafi family wants to sell its 66.8% stake in Americana

Americana dodges sale rumours

By Eliot Beer

Kuwait’s Americana may be considering buyout bids from up to six firms in a potential US$5bn deal, but the food giant is denying the reports.

Al Khaili Group to build food factory in Kizad

Al Khaili Group to build food factory in Kizad

By Eliot Beer

The UAE’s Saif Al Khaili Group has signed up to build a food processing facility in Abu Dhabi Ports’ Kizad Food Cluster, as part of a major industrial project, Kizad has announced.

Iraq violence threatens critical harvest, says FAO

Iraq violence threatens critical harvest, says FAO

By Eliot Beer

The recent conflict in Iraq has pushed the country to the brink of a food supply crisis through risks to harvests and growing refugee numbers, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned.

Oman’s $130m shrimp farm names lead contractor

Oman’s $130m shrimp farm names lead contractor

By Eliot Beer

The US$130m Qurun Aquapolis aquaculture project in Oman announced the appointment of its lead contractor this month, with construction scheduled to be completed by 2016.

Italian food exports to GCC leap 21%

Italian food exports to GCC leap 21%

By Eliot Beer

Italian food exports to the GCC were up 21% in 2013, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the growth and sales, according to figures from Italian food export organisation Cibus.

Almarai and PepsiCo plan $345m Egypt investment

Almarai and PepsiCo plan $345m Egypt investment

By Eliot Beer

Almarai and PepsiCo announced a joint plan to invest US$345m in projects in Egypt over the next five years, taking advantage of the growing stability in the country.

Brazil's Marfrig considers Saudi factory

Brazil's Marfrig considers Saudi factory

By Eliot Beer

Brazilian food processor Marfrig is planning to set up its first factory in the Middle East within the next five years, with Saudi Arabia the most likely location.

Saudi poultry to soar 52% by 2018

Saudi poultry to soar 52% by 2018

By Eliot Beer

Saudi Arabia's poultry production will rise 52% over the next four years, as the country's total agricultural sector is set to hit US$1.7bn in value, according to a new report.

Qatar launches farmers’ association

Qatar launches farmers’ association

By Eliot Beer

Qatar has created a farmers’ association, backed by the Ministry of Economy and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), to promote agricultural development in the country.

Euromonitor: “Eating habits have become somewhat more westernised, especially with more young women entering the workforce and the need for fast cooking solutions.

Saudi Arabia warms to microwave food

By Eliot Beer

Saudi Arabia's younger consumers and working women are driving a gradual shift towards microwaveable meals, but wider change will be slow to come, according to research firm Euromonitor.

Lulu plots $200m Malaysia hypermarket entry

By Eliot Beer

UAE retailer Lulu Group is planning to expand eastward with a US$200m investment to open  Halal-only hypermarkets in Malaysia, with other south-east Asian markets to follow.

China and UAE boost food trade ties

China and UAE boost food trade ties

By Eliot Beer

China and the UAE pushed for an increase in bilateral food and agriculture trade between the two countries during a visit to Abu Dhabi by a high-level Chinese trade delegation last week.

Egyptian sugar facility bags $357m investment

Egyptian sugar facility bags $357m investment

By Eliot Beer

Egypt's Al Nouran Sugar has secured US$357m in financing for a new sugar facility which will create 3,000 new jobs and produce 588,000 tonnes of sugar a year when operational.