São Paulo – Saudi Arabia beef and chicken processing company Tanmiah Food Group’s general manager for value-added products Mohammed Al Hammali (pictured above) is looking to purchase animal protein at the Anufood Brazil expo. He’s also seeking prospective partnerships whereby Brazilian suppliers could get their product processed at the Tanmiah Group’s facilities in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, UAE and then sell it throughout the region under the original Brazilian brands.
ANBA caught up with Al Hammali at São Paulo Expo, where the food and beverage industry show took place. He said this is his first time ever in Brazil. “I’m here looking for two things: to purchase more raw material in Brazil to process back home, and to find a Brazilian company that’s willing to set foot in our market. A meat packer looking to expand into the Middle East. They could process their product at one of our plants and then sell it under their own brand,” he said.
Established in Saudi Arabia in 1962, the Tanmiah Food Group opened an office in Dubai 15 years ago. In 2011, it set up a plant at the Dubai Industrial City. “Right now, we’re the region’s second or third biggest poultry company. We have our own farms in Saudi Arabia. We have verticalized our poultry production,” said Hammali. Verticalization usually refers to a company’s handling of the production process across the board, including the supply of raw material.
The manager said he’s seeking a supplier that can become a strategic partner, because the Tanmiah Food Group needs a steady stream of items like boneless, skinless deboned chicken breasts, chicken wings, halved chicken breasts, and beef. The company buys frozen product in bulk and processes into formats including halves, nuggets, etc. before selling to hotels and restaurants across the Middle East.
“I was hoping there would be lots of suppliers here at the expo, but unfortunately a lot of people have canceled for fear of the [corona]virus. Companies are restricting travel and events, but fortunately I was able to get together with C.Vale and JBS. I am hoping to sit down with other companies before the end of the day, and if the need arises I can stay a few days longer and postpone my return trip to Dubai. Considering the challenges we’re facing at this time, all in all it has been a productive visit,” he said.
Quick facts
Tanmiah Food Group
+971 50 550 2668
mohammed.alhammali@tanmiah.com
www.tanmiah.com
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
