US-based food processing company Cargill is investing $100m to double its soybean crush operation in Borg El Arab in order to meet the increasing demand in Egypt for soybean meal and oil.
The company will construct 42,000 metric tonne storage capacity within its current premises at the Port of Dekheila in Alexandria.
The soybean crush plant expansion will add 3,000 metric ton capacity to the current production line at Cargill's facility in Borg El Arab.
With the construction of the new facility, the company will be able to make optimum utilisation of its production process for soybean meal and oil.
The facility at Dekheila will store, discharge and handle imported grains and oilseeds.
This facility is also intended to help Cargill to optimize its supply chain by allowing timely delivery of grains to Egyptian customers and its crush plant at Borg El Arab.
The construction at the soybean crush facility is scheduled to begin in November and the expanded facility is slated to become operational by mid-2017.
The storage capacity expansion at Dekhiela port will also begin in November and is likely to be completed by the end of 2016.
Latest technology will be enabled in the crush plant to enhance the production quality of high protein meal. Cargill will install equipment that will aid in energy savings at the new and existing plants.
Cargill's head of grain and oilseeds in the Middle East and Africa region Johan Steyn said: "This investment fits with our strategy of growing our business in Africa and the Middle East.
"The demand for soybean meal and oil continues to grow, and expanding our capabilities in Egypt will enable us to better serve our customers in the local market with high quality products, crushed and produced locally."
