UGANDA — Kerry, a world leader in taste and nutrition solutions has inaugurated a new US$5m manufacturing facility in Uganda, the latest development in a major expansion plan in East Africa.

The 1000m2 facility, located in the country’s capital Kampalawill expand Kerry’s capacity in the East Africa region.

The company has been investing heavily in sub-Saharan Africa. In November 2023 it opened its first manufacturing facility in Tanzania. The move was part of a broader pattern in the ingredients sector to move small R&D and manufacturing facilities closer to high-growth markets in Africa.

The company says that the investment in Uganda is a prime example of its “commitment to Africa and its confidence in the future of the food and beverage industry on the continent.”

The opening ceremony was attended by Peter Dillane, Vice President & General Manager of Kerry Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MISA) and Jad Neaime, General Manager of Kerry Greater Africa.

It was also graced with the company’s Africa leadership team, staff and key customers.

“The establishment of this manufacturing site in Uganda marks a further step towards realising our vision of creating a world of sustainable nutrition. Kerry has consistently prioritised meeting local demands, with great taste being a paramount criterion in the food and beverage industry,” commenting Peter Dillane.

“Our cutting-edge technologies, coupled with our expertise and now local production, will enable us to collaborate with our customers in crafting delicious and nutritious products.”

Kerry’s expansion into Uganda is aligned with its strategic vision of promoting global sustainable nutrition. 

“Uganda’s economy is fast-growing, driven by a thriving food processing industry. Producing in Uganda strengthens our localisation plans. This includes focusing on local partnerships, developing local sourcing in East Africa — from food ingredients to local talent and supply chain development — to enable growth in the communities in which we operate,” added Jad Neaime.

Durban, South Africa, hosts Kerry’s primary African facility, where the company launched a US$40 million research and development and manufacturing site in May 2022, focusing on nutrition solutions for African markets.

The company aims to impact over 2 billion people with sustainable nutrition by 2030, with the Uganda facility positioned as a crucial milestone in realizing this ambitious goal.

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