India, Feb. 18 -- At Gulfood 2025, one of the world's largest food and beverage industry exhibitions, Agthia is highlighting its latest innovations and growth strategies. Nizar Kayali, President of the Flour & Feed Division at Agthia, discussed the company's expansion initiatives, health-conscious product innovations, and long-term vision with FoodTechBiz. As one of the UAE's leading food and beverage companies, Agthia has continuously evolved to meet market demands, transitioning from a local entity to a regional leader with ambitions to expand globally.

Agthia's robust presence in the food and beverage sector stems from its strategic structure, which is organized into four key pillars: Protein, Agribusiness, Water & Food, and Snacking. Kayali's division, the agribusiness segment, focuses on two core categories: flour and animal feed.

"We belong to the agribusiness division, which focuses on two primary categories: flour and feed," Kayali explained. "Our flour brand, Grand Mills, and our feed brand, Agrivita, are among the leading brands in the UAE. We operate exclusively within the UAE, where Grand Mills holds a 45% market share in the flour segment, while Agrivita commands a 42% market share in the feed segment. Both brands play an essential role in the country's food security initiatives."

Agthia's commitment to high-quality products is evident in their long-standing legacy, as the company began its journey in 1978 with the inauguration of its first mill in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. Since that time, the company has grown into a household name, providing essential products to the UAE's food and agriculture sectors.

A new product launch: Nine Grain Atta

One of the standout features at Gulfood 2025 for Agthia's Agribusiness Division is the launch of Nine Grain Atta. Kayali shared, "At Gulfood, our primary focus is on flour, as this is a major food industry exhibition. This year, we are launching Nine Grain Atta, a specialty flour blend designed for the Indian subcontinent. Unlike traditional atta, this new variant combines nine different grains, including wheat and chickpeas, offering a natural and organic product that aligns with our commitment to health and wellness."

This innovative product is a testament to Agthia's response to changing consumer preferences, particularly the growing demand for healthier and more nutritious food options. With an increasing number of people focusing on holistic wellness, Agthia's Nine Grain Multi Atta seeks to meet that need by offering a blend of grains that provides additional health benefits.

Growing Beyond the UAE

Agthia's aspirations are not limited to just the UAE market. In fact, the company has been aggressively pursuing expansion in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and beyond. Under its 2025 strategy, Agthia has completed six acquisitions, which have expanded its footprint across seven countries: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, the UAE, and Kuwait.

"We now operate 20 manufacturing sites across these markets, each catering to specific regional demands," Kayali stated. "This expansion is integral to our strategy of growing our portfolio and enhancing our presence in key markets."

The acquisitions cover all of Agthia's divisions, including the agribusiness division, but also extend to the water and food, protein, and snacking segments. While the agribusiness division is based in the UAE, other divisions have seen growth across multiple countries. The company's water and food division operate in the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia; the protein division is active in Jordan and Egypt; and the snacking division, headquartered in the UAE, now exports to Europe.

Agthia is not slowing down its momentum. Kayali emphasized that expansion remains a core part of the company's strategic vision. "We are actively exploring new opportunities, and you will hear more about our upcoming developments soon," he noted, hinting at exciting prospects in the pipeline.

Although Agthia's growth strategy is broad and spans multiple regions, the company is particularly keen on increasing its presence in India, where the demand for healthy, high-quality food products is rapidly growing. Kayali explained, "We are expanding from a regional brand within the GCC to the MENA region, and our next step is to establish a global presence."

Health-conscious trends in Agthia's product offerings

The rise in health-conscious consumers has not gone unnoticed by Agthia, and the company is positioning itself to meet this demand with a series of innovations. "In the snacking category, dates are gaining recognition as a nutritious superfood," Kayali shared. "As one of the world's largest date producers, we are developing a range of healthy snacks derived from dates to cater to this growing demand."

This focus on healthier food options spans across all of Agthia's divisions. The introduction of products like Nine Grain Atta and the exploration of date-based snacks reflects the company's ongoing commitment to enhancing wellness through their offerings.

The importance of Gulfood for Agthia

For Agthia, events like Gulfood serve as vital platforms to connect with industry professionals, build relationships, and expand their market reach. "Gulfood is an excellent platform to engage with industry professionals, showcase our diverse range of brands, and explore collaboration opportunities," said Kayali. "We invite everyone to visit our stand to learn more about our company and discover ways we can work together."

In addition to showcasing their current product portfolio, Gulfood also allows Agthia to position itself as an innovator, launching new products that meet the evolving needs of the food industry.

As Agthia continues to push the boundaries of its business, the company's vision for 2025 is clear: growth, innovation, and a global presence. With its diversified portfolio, strategic acquisitions, and a focus on health-conscious trends, Agthia is poised for continued success in the global food and beverage industry.

When asked about the company's outlook for the future, Kayali concluded, "We are committed to continuous growth, both regionally and globally. The foundation has been laid, and now we are expanding into new markets and creating products that align with consumer health and wellness preferences."

Agthia's journey is just beginning, and with a clear strategy in place, the company is on track to establish itself as a global leader in the food and beverage sector.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.