Qalaa Holdings opens export-ready herb drying facility in Egypt: EGX-listed Qalaa Holdings inaugurated a new herb drying facility for its subsidiary Dina Farms, completing the EGP 400 mn first phase of the project, according to a statement (pdf). The factory has received the needed international certifications to begin production for export, the release added.

Qalaa also inaugurated a new EGP 27 mn production line for glass wool pipe insulation at Glass Rock Insulation, a subsidiary of Qalaa’s ASCOM.

Both facilities stand to boost Egypt’s FX revenues: “We expect export revenues from insulation products and the new herb drying facility to reach around USD 40 mn,” Qalaa Holdings founder and chairman Ahmed Heikal said, adding that the company’s export revenues reached USD 47.7 mn in the first nine months of 2024.

IN OTHER EGYPT NEWS-

#1- Haier to invest USD 500 mn in expanding Tenth of Ramadan complex: Chinese appliance manufacturer Haier plans to inject USD 500 mn over the next five years to expand its industrial complex in Tenth of Ramadan to increase its production capacity 5x, Haier Egypt General Manager Ahmed El Gendi told Al Borsa. The company plans to export 30% of its increased output, with the remaining 70% allocated to meet domestic demand,

Exports expansion plans: The company has started exporting to a number of countries — namely Tunisia and Kenya — with plans to soon tap the Algerian and Jordanian markets. He also mentioned plans to export to central African and European markets, El Gendi said.

REMEMBER- Haier laid the foundation stone for the USD 40 mn second phase of its eco-industrial complex in Tenth of Ramadan City last September.

What’s coming: Haier will begin operating the second phase of the complex in 4Q 2026, and preparations for launching the third phase of the complex are already underway after the Industrial Development Authority allocated 45k sqm for the third phase, El Gendi said at the time. The third phase will produce 22k air conditioning units a year with an investment of USD 60 mn.

#2- Swedish home appliance maker Electrolux has decided to ramp up its Egypt operations and target exports, scrapping plans to exit the Egyptian market and sell its local operations after a final review, the company said in a statement (pdf).

The Swedish giant had been exploring a potential exit since July 2023 but cited strong market fundamentals and brand equity — particularly for Zanussi — as key reasons for staying. CEO Yannick Fierling said Electrolux sees greater value in scaling up its Egypt operations, tapping into rising consumer demand while using the country as an export hub.

The group currently ships to 20 markets and dominates key segments, with Olympic Electric leading in water heaters, Zanussi in automatic washing machines, and Ideal in single-door fridges, Maissam Hannawi, Managing Director of Electrolux Egypt, said.

A 14-year presence: Electrolux has been active in Egypt since 2011 when it acquired Egyptianhome appliances manufacturer Olympic Group.

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