Swiss food giant Nestle inaugurated its first-ever confectionery plant in Egypt on Monday.
The new extrusion line at the company’s existing dry goods factory in 6th of October City will produce Crunch, the company’s first chocolate snack to be made in Egypt. Extrusion is a process used to give a specific shape or texture.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Nandu Nandkishore, Executive Vice President Nestle SA and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East, said: “Egypt is an important trade and production centre for Nestle. Our factories here produce and supply some of Nestle’s biggest brands for the entire region.
“This latest expansion project is particularly special for the company. Since 2011, we have invested close to 1 billion EGP in Egypt and doubled our local workforce to 6,300 employees. This proves Nestle’s commitment to the Egyptian market and the importance of its large-scale labour and consumer potential.”
Egypt’s snack food industry – currently estimated at USD1.6 billion – is growing rapidly, and the company plans to further utilise its latest plant addition to bring more confectionery brands to the local market in the future.
According to sources, Nestle currently exports between 10 and 15 percent of the dry goods it produces in Egypt to countries in the region.
