Balkan Agricultural to build US$16.7M tomato processing unit in Egypt
EGYPT – Bulgarian agribusiness Balkan Agricultural is set to construct a new tomato processing facility in Egypt by the end of 2025, according to a report from Tomato News on December 13.
The company has secured a golden license from the Egyptian government to advance the project.
The processing plant, which will be located in the New October City within the Giza governorate, is estimated to cost approximately US$16.7 million.
The unit will span over 7.6 hectares and is expected to process between 350,000 and 400,000 tons of tomatoes annually.
The facility aims to produce 70,000 tons of tomato paste each year, catering to both the domestic market and export demands.
The plant’s raw material will be sourced exclusively from Egypt’s industrial tomato crops, which rank among the largest in Africa.
According to the World Processing Tomato Council (WPTC), the industrial tomato harvest in Egypt reached 600,000 tons in 2023.
Balkan Agricultural’s investment is seen as an effort to strengthen Egypt’s standing in the global processed tomato sector.
Egypt currently holds a position among the top 10 global exporters of processed tomatoes, trailing only behind major players like Italy, China, and Spain.
Egypt’s export of canned tomatoes amounted to over US$91.7 million in 2023, with the country ranking as the third-largest producer of industrial tomatoes in Africa, following Algeria and Tunisia.
The growth and potential of Egypt’s tomato industry have been increasingly attracting international investors.
This new plant is expected to further enhance the country’s role in the processed tomato market, drawing attention from both local and foreign stakeholders looking to capitalize on Egypt’s expanding agricultural sector.
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