Montana aims to increase its frozen vegetables production capacity to 30,000 tonnes

EGP 30m investment to develop plants and rise production capacity: Magdy 

The United Companyfor Food Industries - Montana considers increasing its production capacity to 30,000 tonnes of frozen vegetables from 19,000tonnes at present, as it targets to expand in European markets and to present new products.

Montana’s export manager, RashaMagdy, said that the company's plan for the next phase focuses on increasing production especially in light of food product demand. The company works now to prepare a plane under progress to raise its production and size of new investment.

She revealed that the company’s current production capacity is between 18,000-19,000tonnes, and the company is exporting about 70% of its production, with the rest of production directed to local markets.

The company developed and renewed its production lines in accordance with new requirements announced by Egyptian Food Safety Authority, with investments nearingEGP 30m.

She also noted that the company targets to increase its production by about 25% through adding new product lines to the current ones, as it aims also to expand in European and East Asian markets in near future.

“The Gulf region is the main market for the company’s products. Montana produces different kinds of frozen vegetables, with Mulukhiyah and Okra being the main products of the company,” she said.

Magdy revealed that the company would enter China markets for the first time as it aims to expand in East Asian region, to increase its exports by about 25%-30% during the current year, supported by expansion in Europe and East Asia markets.

She added that company exports weren’t affected by COVID-19, but local supplies decreased with demand shrinking from hotels and restaurants.

Regarding export direction to Arab countries, she noted that the food products demand has shrunk due to the return of large portions of labor to their home with airlines service halting.

“Demand has shrunk due to expats' number decrease to these countries especially with Umrah and Hajj halting and aviation limitation, also some off countries that depend on tourism have seen demand decrease,” she said.

Magdi unveiled that the company added a new product to its menu, pre-prepared cabbage, and it would announce it at the next Gulfood 2021.

She expects that the new product would have a good chance in Gulf countries, as well as in European markets with Arab migrants and different countries which have Arab communities.

Magdi said the company products are present in different markets, most prominently Arab and European countries, the USA, Canada, and Mediterranean markets.