Cargill is investing USD 100 million to double the capacity of its soybean oil crushing operation in Borg El Arab to meet the increasing demand in Egypt for soybean meal and vegetable oil. The company will also construct an additional 42,000 metric tonne storage capacity within Cargill’s existing premises at the port of Dekheila in Alexandria.

The expansion at the soybean crushing 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 optimize its supply chain, allowing for enhanced efficiency in the timely delivery of grains to its Egyptian customers and to its crush plant at Borg El Arab.

“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 at the soybean crush facility is due to commence in November 2015 and to to be operational by mid-2017. Work to increase the storage capacity at 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.

Cargill has been operating in the Egypt since 1994 producing crude soybean oil for the Egyptian market and supplying soybean meal to the poultry and aqua feed industry.