FrieslandCampina and Domty are combining their efforts in a new company that will export and sell affordable cheese propositions to markets in Africa and the Middle East from Egypt.
Mohamed Damaty, vice CEO of Arabian Food Industries, said, “We have been seeking this venture as a company for long. We believe that our products can fit well into the African market and joining forces with FrieslandCampina will help us a lot to do so. We are optimistic about the venture and its ability to grow in the future.”
Dustin Woodward, managing director, FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy Africa, said, “We are very excited about the joint venture with Domty. Combining our joint expertise, capabilities and footprint will allow us to nourish more African families than ever before. Over the next few years we will bring exciting innovations that will create new cheese propositions that are more healthy, affordable and accessible to consumers across Africa and the Middle East.”
Arabian Food Industries is one of the biggest cheese manufacturers in Egypt, with its market leader cheese brand Domty. Established in 1989, it now has a total turnover of more than €100m ($119.4m), in white cheese (feta type), mozzarella, cream cheese, aside from fruit juices and bakery products. Through the years, it has been widening its portfolio to different cheese formats and types, as well as expanding its market reach within Egypt and its export operations in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
FrieslandCampina’s brands, Frico and Kroon, have been established in hard/semi-hard cheese in several North African countries for decades. FrieslandCampina said the cooperation with Domty will allow it to enter bigger, more affordable and faster-growing cheese categories and better serve consumers.
FrieslandCampina will hold a 51% interest in the joint venture and Domty 49%.