Al Ghurair Foods, a leading food processing company in the UAE, has held the groundbreaking ceremony for its first broiler farm in Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad).

 

Scheduled to be operational in 2025, the 68-hectare (680,000 sq m) facility will be built under a Musataha agreement across an overall area of 720 hectares (7.2 sq km), allowing for future expansion. Equipped with advanced technologies, the facility will adhere to leading international biosecurity standards and strict food safety protocols. It will also provide employment opportunities for more than 200 people, whilst supporting local farmers through a production contracting model.

 

Meanwhile, the strategic location of the farm within Kezad will enable Al Ghurair Foods to serve growing demand for poultry meat in the UAE, which has grown year-on-year in recent years. By establishing a local venture, Al Ghurair Foods will be able to bring high-quality, nutritious, and fresh products to closer to consumers. 

 

Domestic food security

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - Kezad Group, said: “This partnership is underpinned by a shared vision to contribute to expansion of the UAE’s domestic food security. We are extremely proud to be able to support the UAE’s long-term goals, while providing a capable and innovative ecosystem for our partners. We see this as only the beginning. As a strategic partner for Kezad in building the food ecosystem, we look forward to exploring more opportunities with Al Ghurair Group to add to our food security efforts.”

 

John Iossifidis, Group CEO, Al Ghurair, said: “This project allows us to serve the growing demand for high-quality poultry products here in the UAE. Working with local partners such as Kezad in turn enables us to be closer to our customers, while fulfilling the UAE’s national ambitions to secure food supplies and increase self-sufficiency in food production.”

 

As the food processing division of Al Ghurair, one of the largest diversified family business groups in the UAE, Al Ghurair Foods is committed to enhancing the availability and capability of domestic food production in the UAE. Al Ghurair Foods Poultry farm is one of the largest producers of eggs in the UAE, distributed under the flagship brand Jenan.

 

Three mega food processing projects

The announcement builds on an agreement signed between Al Ghurair Foods and Kezad in April 2023, establishing a 50-year land lease for three mega food processing projects involving investments of over AED1 billion ($270 million). In addition to the broiler farm, the agreement also included the development of the region’s first of its kind Starch Processing Plant, as well as the involvement of Al Ghurair Foods in Kezad’s Abu Dhabi Food Hub.

 

Turgut Yegenaga, CEO, Al Ghurair Foods and Al Ghurair Resources International, said: “Al Ghurair Foods is already a recognised leader in the poultry division through Jenan and as a leading supplier for feed. Our foray into poultry meat production will enable to us to achieve greater vertical integration within the overall supply chain, giving us more control over the quality and supply of the broiler.”--TradeArabia News Service