Production capacities to increase from 72,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes

November 11, 2015 

Abu Dhabi, UAE: BRF, one of the biggest animal protein producers in the world, is announcing plans to expand its food production facility in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad). Kizad is the industrial, trade and logistics hub of Khalifa Port, the flagship of Abu Dhabi Ports―the master developer, operator and manager of ports and industrial zones in the Emirate.

The expansion of the facility was announced by Brazil's Minister of Agriculture H.E. Katia Abreu on November 11 in the presence of the Brazilian Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Paulo Cesar Meira de Vasconcellos and other dignitaries from the UAE and region. BRF announced its added expansion plans on the occasion of the first anniversary of establishing the factory in Kizad.  

BRF has intensified its international expansion process in the last two years and will increase its annual production capacity in the Kizad plant from 72,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes by the end of 2016. This expansion was originally planned to be completed in 2020, however due to the success of the factory operation, the expansion plan was brought forward to the end of 2016. Currently producing chicken, beef burgers, and franks, the expansion will be put towards increasing the number of product lines at the plant to meet the demands of their marinated meats and franks.

"Kizad is home to the largest food plant of its kind in the Middle East, and the fact that BRF is planning to expand its production capacity even further is yet another testament of the dynamic platform we provide - from integrated solutions, to a conducive business environment and competitive business edge" said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports.

"We are very happy that our offerings have facilitated BRF's business growth and that Kizad has been part of their success story" he added.  

Pedro Faria, Global CEO of BRF said: "The factory in Kizad is one of our big success stories. This plant is a benchmark in terms of integrating the global production chain and a way for us to make the UAE an important export hub for the region."

Patricio Rohner, ‎General Director BRF Middle East and Africa, said: "Increasing our local production capacity represents an additional step towards more flexibility and an increased ability to adapt our products to the demand of the region. With a team of 17 nationalities, this plant is also a reflection of the multicultural aspect of our company in the region."

The additional production capacity aims to cater both to increased demand within current markets and to potentially export products from their Kizad facility to markets such as North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia where BRF also has presence.

-Ends-

About Abu Dhabi Ports
Established in 2006, Abu Dhabi Ports' core objective is to facilitate the diversification of the economy by stimulating trade and development. This is done by delivering high quality maritime services, supporting partners' infrastructure projects and setting up new companies and joint ventures in the ports and logistics sectors.

The flagship state-of-the -art Khalifa Port and Khalifa Industrial Zone play a big role in supporting the diversification of the economy.  Khalifa Port was inaugurated on 12/12/12 by UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The port's semi-automated container terminal handles all of Abu Dhabi's container traffic, after its transfer from Zayed Port, the historic port in the city centre.

Phase One of Khalifa Port has a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs and 12 million tonnes of general cargo. Further phases of development will occur as market demand requires. When all phases are complete, Khalifa Port will be able to handle 15 million TEUs and 35 million tonnes of general cargo per year.

Abu Dhabi Ports manages nine commercial, logistics, community and leisure ports, and Khalifa Industrial Zone which is serving a range of logistics and manufacturing investors. Abu Dhabi Ports is boosting Abu Dhabi's economic growth and diversification, following Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision.

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About BRF
BRF: One of the biggest animal protein producers in the world

BRF is a global food company that has intensified its international expansion process in the last two years. The three principal rating agencies rate BRF's investment grade, which is above the sovereign rating of Brazil, where its head office is located. It is one of the biggest animal protein producers in the world, owns renowned brands and accounts for 14% of all the poultry traded on the planet.

Examples of the company's performance in the international market are the Joint Venture Agreement with INVICTA Food Group, in the United Kingdom, and SATS-BRF, in Singapore; the plant in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which is already surpassing expectations in its very first year of operations; the agreement signed with Qatar National Import and Export Co (QNIE) for the distribution of frozen foods in Qatar; the acquisition of leading brands in Argentina and the construction of its 36th plant in Brazil - announced in October, 2015.

In September this year, the Dow Jones Sustainability - Emerging Markets Index (DJSI) announced that the company has been included in the index for the fourth consecutive year. The company is also the only Brazilian food company to be included in the European sustainability index prepared by Euronext, the main European stock exchange, in partnership with Vigeo, the leader in corporate and social responsibility ratings. This year, BRF became the first Brazilian food company to issue green bonds totalling 500 million euros, whose proceeds will be used exclusively for sustainability projects.

History
BRF is the result of the merger of two food companies. In 2012, after the merger of Perdigão and Sadia, the Brazilian company was recognized as a global multinational company that is admired for its brands and innovations and which delivers strong results. It adopts modern management and corporate governance models, and stands out not just for its financial results but also for its innovation and stimulation of the production chain.

Owner of the brands Sadia, Perdigão and Qualy, BRF is one of the world's largest poultry and pork exporters. It has over 96,000 direct employees, 35 industrial units in Brazil, nine plants abroad (six in Argentina, two in Europe and one in Abu Dhabi) and more than 35 distribution centres.  It currently exports its products to more than 120 countries.

© Press Release 2015