Saudi Arabia: Almarai partners with JBT Marel for seafood processing
Almarai, the Saudi Arabian food and beverage giant, has signed a multimillion-euro contract with JBT Marel to supply three advanced fish processing lines for its new facility in King Abdullah Economic City. The partnership, formalised in January 2026, marks the strategic expansion of the dairy leader into the seafood sector as part of a broader […]
Tradeshow Insight: Gulfood 2026
Held from 26th to 30th January, Gulfood 2026 marked a significant structural change for the annual event by operating simultaneously across two venues for the first time: the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai. This expansion brought the total event space to over 280,000 sq m, […]
South Africa: BAT to shutter Heidelberg cigarette plant
British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) has announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Heidelberg, Gauteng, South Africa, by the end of 2026, marking the end of the company’s local cigarette production after more than 50 years. The decision to wind down operations at the historic site, which employs approximately 230 people, is reportedly […]
UAE: Solico Group opens $35 million production hub
Solico Group, the Middle East-based food manufacturer known for brands such as Kalleh and Pemina, has inaugurated a new production facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) with an investment of 130 million AED ($35.4 million). The new purpose-built plant, operating under the name SoFood, spans 5,000 sq m and will serve as the group’s […]
Saudi Arabia: JBS expands halal production with $85 million investment
JBS, the Brazilian meat processing giant, has announced a capital injection of $85 million to expand its manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia, positioning the country as a strategic hub for its halal operations. The investment encompasses the expansion of the company’s processed food facility in Jeddah and upgrades to its existing plant in Dammam. According […]
Saudi Arabia: Unilever expands Omo production
Unilever, the global consumer goods giant, has expanded its home care manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia with the inauguration of a new production line for its Omo liquid detergent brand at its Jeddah facility. The new state-of-the-art line has been installed at the Binzagr Unilever Limited (BUL) factory and will serve as a key regional […]
Mexico: Grupo Bimbo strengthens African footprint with Joy Food deal
Grupo Bimbo, the Mexico-headquartered bakery conglomerate, has agreed to acquire Joy Food International, a Moroccan producer of packaged industrial bread, through its Spanish subsidiary Bakery Iberian Investments SL. The transaction involves the purchase of 100% of the share capital and voting rights of the Casablanca-based firm. Founded in 2009, Joy Food International operates a production […]
Saudi Arabia: Cupid Ltd to establish new manufacturing facility
Cupid Ltd, the Indian manufacturer of personal care and sexual wellness products, has announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia. The Mumbai-listed company said it intended to set up the plant to cater to the growing demand for personal care products within the Middle Eastern market. The proposed facility is expected […]
South Africa: Varun Beverages to acquire Twizza in $54 million deal
Varun Beverages, the India-based bottling partner for PepsiCo, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire a 100% stake in Twizza, a South African carbonated soft drinks manufacturer, for an enterprise value of 1.47 billion ZAR ($54.1 million). Twizza Beverages, a prominent player in the South African market, operates manufacturing facilities in Queenstown, Middelburg and […]
South Africa: McCain streamlines operations with sale of vegetable business
McCain South Africa, the local arm of the Canadian frozen food giant, has agreed to sell its vegetable manufacturing operations to Enduring Ventures, a US-based entrepreneurial holding company. The transaction, for which financial details were not disclosed, includes the acquisition of the well-known Harvestime brand. The deal encompasses a vegetable processing facility in Springs, Gauteng, […]