UAE diary producer Al Rawabi to invest $21.7m in 2016

UAE-based dairy producer Al Rawabi has plans to invest AED80m ($21.7m) this year with an aim to increase its production capacity and enter new export markets in the Middle East.

According to the company officials, the new investment comes after the company’s AED25m ($6.8m) investment in cold storage infrastructure last year.

Al Rawabi chairman Abdallah Sultan Al Owais was quoted by Arabian Business.com as saying: "In 2015, we grew by 15% compared to an industry average of 7%.

"This achievement is the result of strategic thinking, phased investments over the years, innovation and commitment.

"We have an ambitious road ahead and our mission is to be a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) brand by 2020 with presence in key markets across the region."

Al Owais stated that the company expects to grow by 15% this year.

As part of streamlining processes, the dairy company has also made plans to centralise operations to improve supply chain management, as well as to increase its productivity.

Al Rawabi intends to add a new automated facility that will enable it to increase production to 70% from the existing 30%, reported The Peninsula Qatar’s Daily Newspaper.

The dairy company currently produces 175,000l of fresh juice products and 325,000l of dairy products every day.

In 2013, Al Rawabi invested AED125m ($34m) in order to increase its farm facilities and dairy cattle, while another AED22m ($5.9m) was invested in 2014 in third-generation filling and pasteurisation lines.