BRF opens $160m factory in Kizad, Abu Dhabi

Frozen foods producer BRF, responsible for brands such as Sadia, has opened a $160m (Dh588m) factory at Kizad in Abu Dhabi.

The company said that the strategic location of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) would enable a faster facilitation and make Sadia brand more accessible to global markets, leading to a reduction on their dependence on imports.

The company has up to 60% of the market share in chicken products, and is currently importing stock and ingredients from places such as Australia, Brazil, India and Turkey.

BRF is a part of the working groups such as Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Meteorology (Esma) and Standardisation Organisation for GCC that lays emphasis on food production safety. It operates 57 factories worldwide and exports to more than 110 countries.

Speaking about the new factory, BRF managing director Patricio Rohner said to Zawya: "It is in line with Abu Dhabi 2030 vision. We will be exporting our products to the entire region from the new factory."

BRF produces brands such as Sadia, Perdigão and Qualy that have been successful in market segments such as processed meats, pasta, margarines and frozen pizzas in Brazil. In additon, these products are increasingly recognised in Europe, the Middle East, Asian, African and American markets.

The new factory will provide employment to around 1,400 people and will have an annual production capacity of nearly 70,000t of food products, which would include breaded items, pizzas, burgers and other food items.

Zawya quoted Abu Dhabi Ports Company (Adpc) CEO Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi as saying: "The opening of the food production plant represents a crucial landmark in our continuous efforts to enable development and trade, while diversifying the emirate’s economy in line with Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030."

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Image: BRF’s new factory will manufacture breaded items, pizzas, burgers and other food items. Photo: courtesy of KEKO64 / freedigitalphotos.net.