Cargill and the Arabian Agricultural Services Company (ARASCO) have inaugurated a new corn milling facility in Saudi Arabia.
Located in Al-Kharj, the facility will be operated by the Middle East Food Solutions Company (MEFSCO), which was formed as part of a joint venture by Cargill and ARASCO in 2013.
Cargill claims the new facility will double the glucose and starch production capabilities of MEFSCO, triple total production volume and add high-fructose corn syrup to MEFSCO’s product portfolio.
As a result of the investment, MEFSCO will be able to provide market-specific products for the confectionery, juice, bakery and catering segments in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.
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.”
Ziyad Alsheikh, chief executive officer of MEFSCO added: “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.”
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