ofi set to open latest Egyptian herb processing site
Fresh Marjoram and kitchen twine on wooden board
A major investment is being made by ingredients group ofi with a new herb processing facility in Beni-Suef, Egypt, enhancing its operations across the sector, including snacks, writes Neill Barston.
Confectionery Production recently met with the business at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo supplier showcase event, with the company revealing that it is continuing to make strategic enhancements to its business in the region, as well as around the world.
As for its latest project, the company noted it was opening its latest site in response to consumer demand for herbs either for cooking at home or a wide range of savoury and culinary category solutions – with herbs increasingly used in crisps and wider snacks segments.
Egypt is one of the biggest markets for the processing, exporting, and growing of herbs, with Upper Egypt providing the ideal growing conditions.
The new ofi facility is expected to process 3,000 metric tons (MT) of herbs every year (basil, fennel, marjoram, parsley and dill) sourced directly from local farmers, and will also work closely with ofi’s global innovation centers to create optimal solutions for its international customer base.
Brijesh Krishnaswamy, President for spices by ofi said: “Herbs play an important role in contributing to food’s color, fragrance, and taste, and potentially as a flavor replacement to sodium and sugar. With careful processing, dried herbs often retain a deeper, spicier flavor compared to their fresh counterparts, providing a convenient, shelf-stable ingredient for bulk buy.
As such, choosing the right herbs— and where you acquire them from—is crucial in terms of retaining integrity and vibrancy.
The company’s Egypt teams are focused on maintaining strong relationships with the farmers in our supply chain, advising on quality, while our innovation teams can demonstrate to our CPG, retailer and food service customers, the savory and culinary opportunities available, including in combination with our wider spices, nuts and dairy product portfolio.”
The new facility will operate under Dehydro Foods, a subsidiary business of ofi, and is expected to create 75 direct full-time jobs and source from around 1,000 farmers. The new site will work towards ofi’s sustainability goals of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, prosperous farmers and thriving communities.
