The beverage industry in Saudi Arabia has achieved a 6.5 per cent compound annual growth rate, according to Al Rabie Saudi Foods, a major player in the beverages and juice industry.

This is the average consumption growth during a specified period of time, which reflects an increased demand for these products, it added.

'With the consumption of juices and beverages on the rise, Al Rabie is keen to invest heavily into the sector to improve and expand production processes and develop human resources to achieve this goal,' said Al Sharif Monther Al Harthi, CEO of Al Rabie.

According to him, Al Rabie is fully committed to strengthening its position among the leading companies specialized in manufacturing beverages, juices and food products in the Mena region.

Al Rabie Saudi Foods, which exports 30 per cent of its production, has already invested SR200 million ($53.3 million) to expand its plants and increase productivity.

The expansion plans include the adoption of advanced technologies for the manufacture of juices and ready foods and the installation of new hardware which operate as per highest global standards.

The company has also opened an innovative production line to meet the requirements of the local market, said Al Harthi.

“Al Rabie, which is a 100 per cent Saudi company, decided to develop mechanisms of production and expand operations to meet the requirements of the Saudi and foreign markets in which we operate,” said Al Harthi.

“We bought a set of highly advanced devices and equipments to improve and modernize production lines according to the best international manufacturing practices,' he stated.

'We have also opened innovative production lines to meet the growing demand for natural healthy juices, and we are confident that these investments worth SR200 million will benefit the consumer, while enabling us to continue to provide healthy products in line with our “Health for All' motto,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service