Tanmiah Food Company, a leading pillar of the Middle East’s food industry, continues to evolve and strengthen its position as a key player in the region. Since its establishment in 1962, Tanmiah has become one of the most recognisable names in the Middle East’s poultry and meat production sector. As we move into 2025, Tanmiah is not only expanding its range of products but also making progress in areas like sustainability, local food security, and regional growth, all while meeting the increasing demand for halal food.
A Leader in Poultry and Meat Production
Tanmiah has long been well known for their high-quality, fresh, and processed poultry products. Their operations span a fully integrated business model, covering everything from farming to the final distribution of products. With 120 farms, six hatcheries, two feed mills, and four primary processing plants (slaughterhouses), Tanmiah continues to be a key supplier of poultry, meat products, and animal health goods across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region, including the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Kuwait.
One of the company’s most significant developments over the last few years has been the company’s consistent expansion of its distribution network. In addition to its traditional supply chains through wholesalers, retailers, and food service outlets, Tanmiah has also made a name for itself in the online space. Its e-commerce platform has allowed customers to conveniently purchase its range of products, ensuring the company stays in touch with the digital age.
As of September 2023, Tanmiah continues to invest in the Kingdom’s food security strategy by operating an ever-expanding array of farming and production facilities. Their strategic goal to boost local poultry production aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on imported food and increase its food self-sufficiency rate to 80% by 2025.
The Success of Popeyes: A Key Driver of Growth
In addition to its robust poultry operations, Tanmiah has also made waves in the fast food sector. Tanmiah’s subsidiary, Tanmiah Restaurants for Fast Food Company, has experienced rapid success with the Popeyes brand in the region. Popeyes, one of the world’s largest chicken-based fast food chains, now has 36 outlets across Saudi Arabia as of late 2023, with the company planning significant expansion in other Gulf markets. In November 2023, Tanmiah announced an exclusive development agreement with PLK Europe GmbH to establish Popeyes outlets in Kuwait and Bahrain. This development is part of Tanmiah’s broader strategy to diversify its offerings and cater to the growing demand for fast food in the region. Given Popeyes’ international success, this partnership offers Tanmiah an exciting opportunity to capitalise on the fast food industry’s lucrative growth while contributing to the Kingdom’s economic and employment growth.
Key Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Tanmiah continues to recognise the importance of strategic partnerships in its long-term growth. In 2023, Tanmiah entered into a significant joint venture with MHP, one of Europe’s leading poultry producers. This collaboration, through Tanmiah’s wholly owned subsidiary, Desert Hills for Veterinary Services, is focused on developing and operating poultry breeding facilities in Saudi Arabia.
A key component of this venture is the planned establishment of a greenfield hatchery, which will hatch around 175 million eggs annually. The joint venture will also invest in new feed milling facilities aimed at producing 137,000 tonnes of feed per year, an investment backed by the Saudi Arabia Agriculture Development Fund. This collaboration is expected to contribute to Tanmiah’s mission of increasing local poultry production and contributing to the Kingdom’s food security.
In December 2024, Tanmiah Food Company announced a new agreement with Majmaah University, reinforcing their ongoing commitment to empowering communities and supporting talent development. This partnership reflects the company’s dedication to enhancing education and workforce capabilities, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Through this collaboration, they aim to provide valuable training and internship opportunities for students, while nurturing local talent to help build a brighter future for the region. Tanmiah has also made further strides in the region by entering into another joint venture with Vibra Agroindustrial S.A., a leading food producer in Brazil. This partnership aims to co-pack products for both Tanmiah and Vibra, initially in Saudi Arabia, with plans to expand into the wider MENA region. The venture will also explore the possibility of setting up a primary or further processing facility in Saudi Arabia, supporting Tanmiah’s growth and the nation’s food security strategies.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Tanmiah’s commitment to sustainability has never been more evident. The company has implemented several initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental impact, preserving natural resources, and improving agricultural practices. For example, Tanmiah’s commitment to planting a million trees across Saudi Arabia remains one of its flagship sustainability efforts. This initiative helps combat desertification while contributing to broader environmental goals in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Tanmiah has also focused on responsible water management, with treated wastewater from its processing facilities being used in its farming operations. In addition, waste products from its poultry operations are converted into fertiliser, supporting sustainable agricultural practices across its farms. The company’s environmental stewardship is a key part of its broader sustainability framework, which also addresses animal welfare, sustainable sourcing, food safety, and community engagement. In terms of animal welfare, Tanmiah has invested in technology to ensure the humane treatment of animals across its supply chain. This commitment is fundamental, as the company works closely with suppliers to ensure all operations meet the highest standards of animal care.
Tanmiah Food Company recently also announced a significant milestone in their growth journey. Their subsidiary, Agricultural Development Company (ADC), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chengdu Design & Research Institute and Jiangsu Huali Co. Ltd. at the Saudi Agriculture Show in Riyadh. This exciting partnership aims to explore the development of advanced poultry farms in Saudi Arabia, incorporating the latest automation and Industry 4.0 technologies. The initiative aligns with Tanmiah’s commitment to expansion in the Kingdom and supports their strategy to lead the way in innovative, efficient farming practices. Through this collaboration, they aim to deliver high-quality, healthy products to our consumers while advancing sustainability and food security for the future.
Innovation and Continued Expansion
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Tanmiah is poised to continue its focus on food security, sustainability, and innovation. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pushes forward with its Vision 2030 agenda, Tanmiah remains committed to contributing to the country’s economic growth by increasing local production, reducing dependence on imports, and ensuring a stable and sustainable food supply.
In terms of innovation, Tanmiah is exploring new technologies to further enhance its sustainability practices. This includes exploring ways to manage poultry litter more sustainably through methods like composting and pyrolysis treatment, which could help improve soil health and reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers.
Recently, they officially launched their Central Monitoring System (CMS) in a ceremony attended by the company’s Chairman, H.E. Amr Abdullah Al Dabbagh. The CMS is a key part of Tanmiah’s ongoing digital transformation strategy, aimed at integrating the latest technologies across its entire value chain to improve operational efficiency and optimise processes. As part of its innovation roadmap, Tanmiah plans to incorporate IoT, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain technology to enhance product traceability and ensure more sustainable operations.
The CMS enables real-time access to operational data for the central team, allowing for smooth oversight and facilitating quicker, more informed decision-making. Tanmiah’s ongoing expansion into international markets, particularly through its Popeyes franchise further shows the company’s ambition to be a global player in the food industry. As it strengthens its presence in the MENA region and beyond, Tanmiah remains dedicated to providing high-quality, halal food while upholding the principles of sustainability, ethical sourcing, and community engagement.
Tanmiah’s continued growth and commitment to its core values will undoubtedly make it a key player in the Middle East’s food industry for years to come. As the company moves forward, its sure to play a crucial role in shaping the future of food production, sustainability, and food security in the region.
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