< Read Before: Lebanon’s food producers: Agrytech signals new hope
Lebanon’s F&B companies continue to find success despite challenges. With over 1000 companies operating in this sector, we take a look at 10 producers making their mark on the industry
BALKIS SAL
Producer and distributor in local and regional markets, of 100% freshly squeezed citrus, apple, and pomegranate juices.
Year established 1998
International certificates ISO 22000, HACCP
Company sector
• Fruits and vegetables
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Agro-industry
Company size
Medium (50-250 employees)
What percentage of production costs is attributable to raw material and parts?
60% to less than 70%
What is the breakdown of your local procurement sources?
• Local Lebanese companies (80%)
• Other foreign-affiliated companies (20%)
What is the percentage of export sales out of total sales for your company?
(20%)
Latest product Fresh
Pomegranate Juice
General manager
Hasan Beydoun
Expansion strategy
“Additional new packaging, plus new flavors. Focus on export markets, now that export by land transport will open up very soon.”
balkis.com
AL TAGHZIAH
Al Taghziah is a multi-line meat processing factory producing a wide range of cold cuts, luncheon meat, corned beef, hot dogs, burgers, basterma and pickles.
Year established 1986
International certificates ISO 22000/ ISO 9001
Company sector
• Meat and processed meat products
• Fish and seafood products
• Low fat/Gluten free products
Company size
Medium (50-250 employees)
What is the breakdown of your local procurement sources?
• Lebanon-affiliated companies (3-5%)
• Local Lebanese companies (2%)
• Other foreign-affiliated companies (90%)
What is the percentage of export sales out of total sales for your company?
(65%)
Latest product
Premium Smoked Turkey Breast
General manager
Malek Halwany
What is needed to make your business grow?
“Our new factory makes room for more diversity in our product range while maintaining the same quality. The new facility, partnered with our professional team and an environment of cutting edge technological advancement, is what will ensure our status as the number one meat processing factory in the region.”
altaghziah.com
JEZZINE & ZAHRANI DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (JAZ)
JAZ is a company established to help farmers in the Jezzine and Zahrani regions improve their products and market them throughout the world.
Year established 2014
International certificates US FDA (in process)
Company sector
• Fruits and vegetables
• Oils and fats
• Dairy and cheese products
Company size
Small (< 50 employees)
What percentage of production costs is attributable to raw material and parts?
70% to less than 80%
What is the breakdown of your local procurement sources?
Local Lebanese companies (85%)
What is the percentage of export sales out of total sales for your company?
(60% in 2018)
Latest product
jgrove product range
General manager
Issam Bourached
What is needed to make your business grow?
“Better political stability and less costly bank financing are what is needed to triple this business in five years.”
jgrove.co
LEBANESE COMPANY FOR MODERN FOOD INDUSTRY S.A.R.L. (GARDENIA GRAIN D’OR)
Gardenia Grain D’Or is a trademark of the Lebanese Company for Modern Food Industry s.a.r.l., which aims to satisfy the increasing demand in the Lebanese market for spices, grains, pickles and extra virgin olive oil. The brand also sets out to keep traditional Lebanese ingredients and dishes such as bulgur, freekeh, zaatar, meghli, sahlab and mohallabieh. The brands’s portfolio has been expanded to include vinegars, instant Lebanese mixtures, canned food and ready-to-eat meals. The latest range of Gardenia Grain D’Or includes ready-to-eat Mediterranean specialties.
Year established 1989
International certificates ISO 22000, ISO 22005
Company sector
• Middle Eastern food
Company size
Medium (50-250 employees)
What percentage of production costs is attributable to raw material and parts?
• 50% to less than 60%
What is the breakdown of your local procurement sources?
• Local Lebanese farmers (40%)
• Other foreign-affiliated companies (60%)
What is the percentage of export sales out of total sales for your company?
(70%)
Latest product
Lebanese Mezza
General manager
Nicolas Abou Fayssal
What is needed to make your business grow?
• To protect Lebanese industries
• To update some laws in the government
• To remove export turnover from our total turnover and from taxes.
• To have all international exhibition costs covered by Ministry of Economy
• To have laboratories at Beirut port
gardeniaspices.com
LEBANESE ROASTING GROUP/CASTANIA
The Lebanese Roasting Company Castania was founded in 1983. Castania has attained a sustainable growth rate since its inception. It currently leads the Lebanese nuts market with a wide range of products. Products are exported to more than 42 countries worldwide.
Year established 1983
International certificates ISO 22000
Company sector
• Nuts
Company size
Large ( > 250 employees)
What percentage of production costs is attributable to raw material and parts?
• 90% or above
What is the breakdown of your local procurement sources?
Other foreign-affiliated companies 100%
What is the percentage of export sales out of total sales for your company?
(50%)
Latest product
Castania fresh seal
General manager
Peter Daniel
What is needed to make your business grow?
“Political and economic stability in the country is needed to help us grow. We need more support from the government as local producers and exporters, by creating trade deals with foreign countries to encourage export opportunities and to inject fresh money into the country.”
castanianuts.com
MARINA FROZEN FRIES CO S.A.L
Frozen fries producers located in the Bekaa area, where the best quality of raw material is being planted, harvested and stored. The company produces and distributes many varieties of regular, coated and flavored frozen fries all over Lebanon and the Arab region.
Year established 2014
International certificates ISO 22000, HACCP, YUM!
Company sector
• Pre-fried frozen fries
Company size
Small ( < 50 employees)
What percentage of production costs is attributable to raw material and parts?
• 50% to less than 60%
What is the breakdown of your local procurement sources?
• Lebanon-affiliated companies (40%)
• Local Lebanese companies (40%)
• Other foreign-affiliated companies (20%)
What is the percentage of export sales out of total sales for your company?
(25%)
Latest product
Super Cut9*9
Owner
Ibrahim Tarchichi
marinafrozen.com
MEPTICO
Having been a pioneer in the market for more than 50 years in powder desserts and juices, Meptico undertook a total overhaul in 2005 to launch and export new products and embrace new brands.
Year established 1968
International certificates ISO 22000:2005 certification
Company sector
• Powder desserts
• Baking products
• Juices
• Sauces
Company size Large
( > 250 employees)
What percentage of production costs is attributable to raw material and parts?
Less than 50%
Latest product
Puidor Pesto Sauce
General manager
Richard Hachem
meptico.com
SUNNY’S BAKERY
Tsoler’s, a family business based in Lebanon, is a leading bakery specialized in manufacturing and distributing crackers and breadsticks. The company has grown at a rapid pace ever since, expanding its offerings across most Lebanese supermarkets with its wide variety of tasty healthy snacks that are preservative free. The company currently holds its position at the core of the sector with its different flavored crackers that satisfy both salty and sweet cravings.
Year established 2017
Company sector
• Bakery
• Biscuits
• Snacks
Company size
Small (< 50 employees)
What percentage of production costs is attributable to raw material and parts?
70% to less than 80%
What is the percentage of export sales out of total sales for your company?
0%
Latest product
Chia Crackers
General manager
Ara Salkhanian
What is needed to make your business grow?
“Dynamic young Lebanese talents.”
tsolers.com
THE GOOD THYMES
The Good Thymes is a Lebanese agricultural company that brings a fresh breath to traditional Lebanese savors through modern and inspired culinary creations, all based around the unrivaled wild Lebanese thyme. TGT embarked on an expedition with the best chefs and specialists in Beirut, to create the finest dried zaatar mixes. It established as a fair trade business, its ingredients are all natural and free from artificial colors or flavors. The company handcrafts its products without any additives or preservatives.
Year established 2017
Company sector
• Herbs
Company size
Small (< 50 employees)
What percentage of production costs is attributable to raw material and parts?
Less than 50%
What is the breakdown of your local procurement sources?
Local Lebanese companies (100%)
Latest product
The Good Thymes gift set
General manager
Fady Aziz
Expansion strategy
“We’re planning to expand our sales around the world, starting in the Gulf area. To do that, we’re investing in a new location in order to install a proper production line capable of covering the demand. The new workshop will be adapted to International standards to maximize the quality of our products.”
thegoodthymes.me
WILCO PM
Leading Lebanese poultry integrator.
Year established 1958
International certificates ISO, HACCP, FSA (Yum! KFC Certified)
Company sector
• Meat and processed meat products
Company size
Large (> 250 employees)
What is the percentage of export sales out of total sales for your company?
(0%)
Latest product
Processed fully cooked products
General manager
William Boutros
What is needed to make your business grow?
“Looking for distributors of processed products to export markets.”
wilcopm.com
