Brazilian food giant opens a factory at Abu Dhabi

BRF plant to produce 70,000 tonnes/year under the Sadia brand for global markets

Abu Dhabi  BRF (Brasil Foods) has officially opened a AED588m (USD160m) factory at Kizad, Abu Dhabi, where it is expected to start production from June.

BRF, which is one of the world’s largest food companies, is known for the Sadia brand of frozen food.

Kizad CEO Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi and Brazilian Minister of Agriculture Neri Gueller attended the opening of what is described as BRF’s largest plant in the Middle East.

At its 162,157m² plot in Kizad, BRF’s plant will employ 1,400 workers and have an annual production capacity of about 70,000 tons of products such as breaded items, pizzas and burgers.

Kizad’s strategic location will facilitate faster and more efficient access of the Sadia brand to global markets, enhancing the brand’s quality and innovation and helping Sadia deliver quality products tailored for consumers’ needs in the region, said the company.

“The new plant represents one of the key foundations of BRF’s strategy of commitment and investment to the Middle East region, a fast-growing market that is most strategically placed for the internationalisation process of BRF products,” said BRF Chairman, Abilio Diniz.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi said Kizad is delighted to have BRF “as the first investor to become operational in Kizad”.

“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,” he said.

“The fact that BRF is opening its biggest Middle East plant in Kizad confirms the zone’s world-class business offerings, innovative logistics infrastructure and unprecedented access to global markets through our flagship deep-water Khalifa Port, the first semi-automated port in the region.

“As the local food industry promises significant growth in the years to come, the BRF plant will considerably contribute to the local production output and reduce the emirate’s dependence on imports.”