JEDDAH, 10 September 2007 -- Al Kabeer, a major entity in the frozen meat and ready-to-eat products, yesterday outlined its plans to establish a processing plant in Saudi Arabia.
"This will be our sixth plant," Ghulam Muhammad Shaikh, managing director of the India-based Al Kabeer Exports Ltd., said. Al-Kabeer already has four processing plants -- in Indian cities of Hyderabad and Mumbai, and in Sharjah and the UK. Its fifth plant is due to commence operations in Dubai in November.
Shaikh, who is credited with turning the meat trade in India into an industry, said regular studies, research and focus groups were organized to get a better understanding of Saudis and other Arabs. "Our plan for Saudi operations is due to growing demand for our products in the Kingdom and elsewhere in the region."
Although famous for mutton cubes, Al Kabeer has also launched and marketed seafood, chicken, beef and vegetarian products. "Al Kabeer products have not only become popular among the Saudis, but also with major catering companies," said Zaid Muhammad Al-Shabibi, chairman of Al-Jufailah Corporation, the sole agent for Al Kabeer products in the Kingdom.
The Sharjah plant was set up in 1982 and averages a production of over 850-900 ton per month. The Hyderabad plant is described as the largest integrated one in Asia with a monthly 3,000 ton capacity. About 3,500 animals are slaughtered every day at the plant, built at a cost of SR180 million in partnership with a Dubai-based Indian entrepreneur Suresh Subberwal.
Al Kabeer supplies a wide range of food products from its modern processing plants, as also other meat, fish and vegetarian products to the US, New Zealand, Australia, EU and the Far East. The Kingdom is described as the largest importer of Al Kabeer's mutton cubes (bone-in).
According to Altaf G. Shaikh, director of Al Kabeer Group headquarters in Dubai, demand for halal foods is showing strong growth not only the Middle East but also across the world.
Founded in 1974, the group has evolved into a multiproduct business with offices, processing units and cold storages located in over 15 countries. It has expanded its network to cover over 15,000 outlets, which distribute over 200 products in the Kingdom alone.
Al Kabeer plants have won approvals from the EU, the US armed forces, and the Australian Quarantine Board, Amin Talib Hussain, Western Province manager, Al Kabeer-Al Jufailah Corporation said.
By K.S. Ramkumar
© Arab News 2007
