Wafrah plans to finalize trial ops at meat processing lines in Q2 2025

Logo of Wafrah for Industry and Development Co.

Wafrah for Industry and Development Co. is expected to conclude the trial operations of highly-automated production lines for the processing and packaging of frozen and cooked meat, under a deal with GEA Food Solutions, in Q2 2025, according to a statement to Tadawul today, Jan. 22.

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The delay to completion as per the previously-set date was attributed to the redesign of the mechanism for transferring frozen and chilled raw materials from storage warehouses to the production hall, in compliance with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority’s (SFDA) standards in order to prevent contamination.

Another reason for this delay is the addition of supplementary equipment to the production and packaging lines.

Such adjustments resulted in a SAR 2.3 million increase in the project’s cost, Wafrah added, affirming that this delay will not impact its financial results.

In August 2022, Wafrah signed a contract valued at €3.97 million (SAR 15.28 million) with GEA Food Solutions to manufacture and supply the meat processing lines, according to data available with Argaam.

In December 2023, the trial operations of these lines kicked off, expecting completion by January 2024. However, in February 2024, Wafrah said the trial run was scheduled to end in March 2024.