Baladna Company, “the world’s largest goat and Awassi sheep dairy farm”, has launched several dairy products and signed an exclusive agreement with Ali Bin Ali (ABA) Group for distribution in the local market.
The products will be available in about 50 outlets in 10 days time and cover 100 outlets in the country soon. Baladna aims to cover 40% of the fresh dairy market and meeting the meat market needs within three years from now.
Baladna, a 100% Qatari owned company, is “the only company that commercially produces sheep and goat dairy products in Qatar and the GCC region”.
Speaking at a brand awareness event yesterday, John Dore, chief executive officer of Baladna Company, said: “Through this agreement, we hope to achieve one of Baladna’s main objectives – to actively support national food security in Qatar as part of Qatar National Vision 2030 and to deliver high quality products to the market that can compete with imported products.Our partnership with Ali Bin Ali & Partners will allow us to provide our customers the convenience of finding premium Baladna dairy products in their local grocery.”
“The Baladna farm, built over 700,000sq m, includes 40,000 Awassi sheep which have the ability to withstand high temperature and produce high quality milk. The farm also houses 5,000 goats and an animal feed factory yielding 100 tonnes per day,” explained Dore.
According to the official, Baladna is setting aggressive expansion initiatives with immediate plans to include importing an additional 10,000 goats with further development of a 5,000-cow facility. “A factory expansion will allow for production in excess of 250 tonnes per day while also utilising the fresh milk sourced from local farms,” he said.
Nabil Mourad, chief operating officer, FMCG – ABA Group, commented, “It is our pleasure to support the local industries in every way we can. Keeping the Qatar National Vision 2030 in mind, we seek to work with Qatari producers, encourage them, and make their presence prominent in the local market.”
“Baladna is a farm which places key emphasis on quality and we are confident that through our understanding of the Qatari market and commitment to develop best-in-class technologies, we will exceed customers’ expectations and maximise the reach of the products,” he added.
Baladna is also a popular family destination in Qatar. At Baladna Farm, families can enjoy a tour inside the farm, which also includes restaurant and cafe outlets where visitors can enjoy fresh ingredients sourced directly from the farm.
Nabil Mourad, left, and John Dore shaking hands after announcing the partnership (supplied picture).