Boosting egg production amid growing demand
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JUNE 18
Oman Flour Mills, through its subsidiary Arabian Food Production, is producing an impressive 500 million eggs annually and has announced plans to expand output by 15 per cent over the next two years.
According to Dr Suheel Ahmed, CEO of Arabian Food Production, this strategic expansion aligns with the Sultanate of Oman's drive towards food security and self-sufficiency. 'We are committed to strengthening our contribution to the local market while maintaining a robust export base,' he said, adding that Oman reached 102 per cent self-sufficiency in egg production in 2024.
Currently, 25 per cent of the company's egg production is exported to neighbouring countries including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. However, seasonal shifts in consumption continue to pose a challenge. 'Demand typically dips in summer, during school holidays, and throughout Ramadan. While our production cycle can't adapt to these fluctuations, we manage the surplus by expanding our regional distribution network,' Dr Ahmed explained.
To ensure top-quality production, the company has invested heavily in advanced technologies at its new farm. Modern equipment minimises human contact, reduces labour costs, and ensures precise control over environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. 'Our automated systems collect, grade and package over 1.3 million eggs daily, enhancing hygiene and reducing breakage,' he said.
Beyond productivity gains, sustainability is also a core focus. The company has introduced energy- and water-efficient systems and ensures all poultry waste is treated on-site to reduce environmental impact. Additionally, culled birds are processed into poultry meal and fat, which are supplied to other industries such as pet food manufacturing.
Dr Ahmed emphasised that maintaining high standards would not be possible without strong international partnerships. Arabian Food Production sources its birds from the German Lohmann breed and collaborates with leading global machinery manufacturers. Japanese firm ISE Foods, a key shareholder, also provides technical expertise to support ongoing improvements.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Boosting egg production amid growing demand
BUSINESS REPORTER MUSCAT, JUNE 18 Oman Flour Mills, through its subsidiary Arabian Food Production, is producing an impressive 500 million eggs annually and has announced plans to expand output by 15 per cent over the next two years. According to Dr Suheel Ahmed, CEO of Arabian Food Production, this strategic expansion aligns with the Sultanate of Oman's drive towards food security and self-sufficiency. 'We are committed to strengthening our contribution to the local market while maintaining a robust export base,' he said, adding that Oman reached 102 per cent self-sufficiency in egg production in 2024. Currently, 25 per cent of the company's egg production is exported to neighbouring countries including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. However, seasonal shifts in consumption continue to pose a challenge. 'Demand typically dips in summer, during school holidays, and throughout Ramadan. While our production cycle can't adapt to these fluctuations, we manage the surplus by expanding our regional distribution network,' Dr Ahmed explained. To ensure top-quality production, the company has invested heavily in advanced technologies at its new farm. Modern equipment minimises human contact, reduces labour costs, and ensures precise control over environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. 'Our automated systems collect, grade and package over 1.3 million eggs daily, enhancing hygiene and reducing breakage,' he said. Beyond productivity gains, sustainability is also a core focus. The company has introduced energy- and water-efficient systems and ensures all poultry waste is treated on-site to reduce environmental impact. Additionally, culled birds are processed into poultry meal and fat, which are supplied to other industries such as pet food manufacturing. Dr Ahmed emphasised that maintaining high standards would not be possible without strong international partnerships. Arabian Food Production sources its birds from the German Lohmann breed and collaborates with leading global machinery manufacturers. Japanese firm ISE Foods, a key shareholder, also provides technical expertise to support ongoing improvements.
Observer
7 days ago
- Observer
Germany to return to growth after two years of contraction, economists predict
BERLIN: The German economy is expected to grow this year following two consecutive years of contraction, four economic institutes said on Thursday, raising their forecasts for 2025 and 2026. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) raised its forecast to 0.3 per cent growth from the stagnation it had previously envisaged due to a better-than-expected first quarter when the economy grew by 0.4 per cent. "The German economy is seeing some light at the end of the tunnel," the economists said in their new forecasts. They are also more optimistic about next year, raising the forecast for Europe's largest economy to 1.6 per cent growth from 1.5 per cent previously. The Leibniz Institute for Economic Research (RWI) said it expects 0.3 per cent growth this year and 1.5 per cent in 2026. The Ifo institute meanwhile predicts growth of 0.3 per cent this year, up from the 0.2 per cent previously forecast, and 1.5 per cent in 2026, up from 0.8 per cent previously. The Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) in its summer forecast said the economy is likely to grow by 0.4 per cent this year, up from predicted growth of 0.1 per cent previously, and by 1.1 per cent in 2026. "The crisis in the German economy reached its low point in the winter half-year," said Timo Wollmershaeuser, head of forecasts at Ifo. "One reason for the growth spurt is the fiscal measures announced by the new German government." The German cabinet approved a $52.94 billion tax relief package last week to support companies and revive its sluggish economy from this year through 2029. Germany's parliament also approved plans for a massive spending surge in March, including a €500 billion infrastructure fund and largely removing defence investment from the rules that cap borrowing. The German government needs structural reforms to bring the economy back to growth, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said on Thursday in its report on Germany, which includes its forecasts of growth of 0.4 per cent this year and 1.2 per cent in 2026 published last week. Growth will be driven by investments and consumption, while exports will remain a hurdle, the OECD said in its report. A decline of 0.3 per cent in exports is expected in 2025, followed by a small increase of 0.6 per cent in 2026. In its economic forecast, the Ifo institute estimates a boost from the German government's measures of €10 billion in 2025 and €57 billion in 2026. Growth is likely to be 0.1 percentage points higher this year and 0.7 percentage points higher next year than in a scenario without the plans. The US tariff offensive will cut economic growth by 0.1 percentage points in 2025 and 0.3 percentage points in 2026, taking into account the tariffs already imposed. If an agreement is reached in the trade conflict, growth in Germany could be greater, while an escalation could lead to a renewed recession, Ifo said. Oliver Holtemoeller, head of the macroeconomics department at IWH, said a possible escalation of US trade conflicts is a significant risk for the German economy. "The economic antagonism between the US and China demands a special balancing act from the German industry, as it is closely linked with producers in both economic areas," Holtemoeller said. Ifo said the inflation rate will be 2.1 per cent in 2025 and 2.0 per cent in 2026, at the European Central Bank's target, while the labour market is expected to stabilise. It is forecast the unemployment rate will rise to 6.3 per cent in 2025 before falling to 6.1 per cent in 2026. — Reuters
Observer
10-06-2025
- Observer
Dortmund sign Jobe Bellingham five-year deal
BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund have signed English midfielder Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland until 2030, five years after bringing older brother Jude to the club. Dortmund announced the signing on Tuesday, the final day of the Club World Cup transfer window. "The England U21 international put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the eight-time German champions on Tuesday morning," Dormund said in a statement. Dortmund reportedly paid a fee of around 33 million euros ($37 million), with five million in additional bonuses, to secure the midfielder's services, the most the club has paid up front for a player. "I'm very happy to be a Borussia Dortmund player now and to fight for titles together with this great club," said 19-year-old Bellingham. "I want to play my part in celebrating success with these great fans here and will work on myself and with the team everyday. And I'm very happy that I'll be wearing the black and yellow jersey at the FIFA Club World Cup." Dortmund's transfer record remains the 35 million euros paid to bring Ousmane Dembele from Rennes in 2018 although this was originally 15 million euros which rose by 20 million in sell-on fees once the player transfered to Barcelona. "Jobe is an extremely talented footballer with an impressive level of maturity and intelligence on the pitch for someone so young," said Lars Ricken, BVB Managing Director for Sport. "We have no doubt that he's the perfect fit for our philosophy of developing talented youngsters and giving them the opportunity to improve and establish themselves at the highest level. "His professionalism, his dynamism and his hunger to succeed will make him a real asset for our team." At 19, Jobe is two years younger than his Real Madrid and England midfielder brother. In moving to Dortmund, Jobe will follow in Jude's footsteps of trading the Championship for the Bundesliga and the Westfalenstadion. After leaving Birmingham City, Jude spent three seasons at Dortmund and has become one of the most recognisable players in world football since joining Real in 2023. As he did at Sunderland, the younger Bellingham will wear 'Jobe' on his jersey at Dortmund rather than his last name in a bid to distinguish himself from his brother. Jobe scored four goals and laid on three assists in 40 games for Sunderland this season as he helped the club win promotion to the Premier League. Jobe's signing means the two brothers could face off in this season's expanded Club World Cup in the United States, if Dortmund meet Real Madrid during the knockouts of the competition. Jude Bellingham joined Dortmund from boyhood club Birmingham in 2020 aged 17 for around 23 million euros, a fee which rose to 30 million euros when a sell-on fee was added after his 100 million euro move to Real Madrid. He made 132 appearances in yellow and black, scoring 24 times and laying on 25 assists, and helped them win the German Cup in 2021 alongside Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho. After leaving Dortmund, Jude faced off against his former side in the 2023-24 Champions League final, with Real winning 2-0 at Wembley. Jobe became the second-youngest Birmingham City player behind his brother when he made his debut aged 16 years and 107 days. He was named the young player of the season in the English second flight, again following in his brother's footsteps, five years on. Dortmund kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Fluminense on June 17. — AFP
