Arla Foods invests US$58.41M to grow cheese market in Bahrain site

BAHRAIN – Arla Foods, a farmer-owned cooperative, has invested EUR 50m in its Bahrain site to grow market, leading position in cheese glass jars.

By utilising the roof of added building structures for solar panels as well as changing the cooling setup, the investment will also reduce the carbon emissions per ton of product produced.

Arla Foods is already the market leader in the important cheese glass jar category across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with the popular spreadable cheese sold under the Puck® brand.

The glass jar with the deep blue Puck logo on the front is an iconic staple in countless homes across the MENA region where the product is a clear market leader in the category.

Demand is especially high during Ramadan and back-to-school seasons and during these peaks, production at the site in Bahrain is almost at capacity. And in just a few years, the two occasions will take place at the same time due to the date change of Ramadan. 

“We have one of the most well-known and loved dairy products in the region and we are proud to be part of families’ cooking whether it’s during the everyday rush or for special occasions. We know that demand peaks at certain times during the year and in order to accommodate that and maintain the favourability we have with customers and consumers, we are now investing significantly in expanding our production”, says Lillie Li Valeur, Executive Vice President of International at Arla Foods.  

Since Arla Foods acquired the production site in Bahrain in 2019, the dairy cooperative has invested in updating and expanding the site, making it a cornerstone in the important MENA region, which is the biggest commercial region in Arla Foods’ International business segment.  

“We have a great production setup already in place, and we have a popular product expected to grow in demand. Combined with our ambitious company strategy and solid financial situation, this makes for a logical investment to make and I am very pleased to announce it today. It will benefit consumers, strengthen the great collaboration we have with customers in the region and of course create value for our farmer owners,” Lillie added.

She noted that the MENA region is important to them not only from a commercial perspective, but also because, as a food company, they aimed to inspire healthy food habits and support consumers in making smart choices about nutrition and cooking.

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