Dina Farms, which spreads over some 10,000 acres with a herd of more than 17,000 Holstein cattle, will enter a new phase of growth and restructuring. It has already seen its milk capacity double, while an upcoming new yogurt line expects to double its production.
The company currently focuses on integrated business across agriculture, livestock and dairy manufacturing. It also runs a single farm retail outlet, ElShadr.
Its chairman, Ahmed Hiekal, told the Zawya news agency that the injection would go to serve milk production, increase the planted areas and introduce solar plants at the farms. It has already invested $30m on the farm to date, he said.
Dina was originally acquired by Qalaa Holdings in 2007 and has today grown to become Egypt’s largest producer of fresh milk.
The dairy farm was originally established in 1987 with 300 Holstein Friesian heifers, and expects to have more than 8,500 milking cows by the end of this year. In addition, the total cultivated land has increased by 40% since the acquisition.
It is currently undertaking several initiatives to improve its milk productivity, including the installation of curtains and cooling systems at its milking stations. This drive is expected to continue over the coming years and will substantially improve the company’s overall performance once completed.
ICDP, a subsidiary that supplies Dina’s fresh milk, has experienced steady growth since it was founded in 2010. Today it is the leading market force in its category, controlling some 70% of Egypt’s fresh milk market.
Qalaa’s agrifoods investments began in 2007, and were geared towards overcoming agricultural and food production challenges in Egypt and the region.
While most of Qalaa’s agrifoods portfolio has been divested, with 23 companies sold in total, the holding company remains committed to Dina Farms, its key investment in the agrifoods sector.