Cargill to invest $100m in soybean operations in Egypt

Cargill is investing US $100 million to double the capacity of its soybean oil crush operation in Borg El Arab to meet the increasing demand in Egypt for soybean meal and vegetable oil.

The Company has said it will also construct an additional 42,000MT of storage capacity within Cargill’s existing premises at the port of Dekheila in Alexandria.

The expansion at the soybean crush plant will add a 3,000 metric tonne production line to Cargill’s existing facility. It will allow the company to leverage its existing crush capabilities to maximise economies of scale and efficiencies in its production process for both soybean meal and oil. The extension of the facility at Dekheila, which discharges, stores and handles imported grains and oilseeds, will enable Cargill to optimise its supply chain.

“This investment fits with our strategy of growing our business in Africa and the Middle East,” said Johan Steyn, head of Cargill’s grain and oilseeds business in the Middle East and Africa. “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.”  

Construction of the new soybean crush facility to commence in November

Construction at the soybean crush facility is due to commence in November 2015 and the expanded facility is expected to be operational by mid-2017. Work to increase the storage capacity at the port of Dekheila will also commence in November 2015 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. The crush plant will be equipped with the latest technology, allowing the production of improved high protein meal, a fast growing product segment in the local market. As part of the investment Cargill will install equipment that will enable significant savings in power consumption for the new and existing plants. 

Cargill has been operating in the Egypt since 1994 serving the local agricultural sector through its grains and oilseeds business. It has been involved in soybean crush since 2004 through its majority share in the National Vegetable Oils Company (NVOC), producing crude soybean oil for the Egyptian market and supplying soybean meal to the poultry and aqua feed industry.