Sonaco expands Amchit facility

To increase exports to international markets

Sonaco, the local manufacturer of Al-Rabih canned foods and other agro-industrial products, is building a new factory, adjacent to the existing one in Amchit. Production will start in early 2015.

George Nasraoui, the company’s chairman, said: “The main reason behind our expansion is to increase the production by 30 percent and meet international and regional demand on these products.”

The new facility will comprise two floors, with a total built-up area of 3,000 square meters. The cost of investment in the new project exceeded $2 million, including the construction works and machines that will be imported from Europe.

Sonaco exports about 80 percent of its production to Gulf countries, Europe, Africa, the United States, Canada and Australia. Nasraoui said that the new production lines target these countries, although local consumption increased due to the influx of Syrian refugees.

“Our products enter all international markets after examining them, because we are following the standards required for each market,” said Nasraoui.

Sonaco produces tahini, halawa, beans and peas, olives, olive oil, tomato paste, labneh products, pickles, jams, drinks, rose and blossom water, among others. Nasraoui said that the same line of products will be produced in the new facility but in larger amounts.