A joint venture between Cargill and Arasco has opened a new corn milling facility in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, to meet the growing demand of the region's food and beverage industry.

 

The Middle East Food Solutions Company (Mefsco) Corn Milling Facility is Cargill's first investment in Saudi Arabia. The investment marks the company's commitment to the Middle Eastern economy and support for the region's food and beverage manufacturers, said a statement.

 

The Mefsco facility was built to serve the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC). With the new plant, the joint venture is able to double its glucose and starch production capacities, triple total production volume and expand its product portfolio to include high fructose corn syrup to meet the growing demand across the confectionery, juice, bakery and catering segments in the region.

 

Julian Chase, global leader for Cargill starches, sweeteners and texturizers, said: "The Middle East food industry is one of the world's fastest-growing markets. The Mefsco facility gives regional food and beverage manufacturers access to high quality, innovative products produced specifically for them. Arasco's local knowledge and supply chain infrastructure were crucial in our ability to design a facility that best serves local market needs."

 

Responding to consumer trends 

The expansion allows Mefsco to offer enhanced, market-specific solutions for Middle Eastern customers.

 

Ziyad Alsheikh, chief executive officer of Mefsco, said: "In the Middle East, consumer awareness around food safety and hygiene is growing steadily. Cargill's expertise in processing agricultural commodities into high-quality sweeteners and starch-based products will provide our regional customers with an edge in making products that respond to this consumer trend. Customers will be able to serve the market's demand with products that Mefsco will manufacture to the strictest food safety and hygiene standards in our state-of-the-art Al-Kharj facility."

 

Partnership 

The Mefsco joint venture was established by Cargill and Arasco, a leading food manufacturer in Saudi Arabia, in 2013. The new starches and sweeteners facility marks the joint venture's first investment in Saudi Arabia.

 

Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. It has 155,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities, it said. - TradeArabia News Service