Al-Ahram Beverages Company, in cooperation with the Agricultural Research Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and Sahara Egypt for Agricultural Development, witnessed the opening of the 2026 barley harvest season during a field event held at Sahara Egypt’s farms in the East Oweinat region, as part of the sustainable barley cultivation program that the three parties have been implementing for several years with the aim of developing local barley cultivation and linking scientific research to industrial needs .

This event was held to witness the launch of the harvest season on the ground, and to review the results of research and applied cooperation between the research center, the industrial sector, and agricultural partners, within an integrated model that combines scientific research (the Agricultural Research Center), industry (Al-Ahram Beverages Company and its malt factory), and agricultural implementation on the ground (Sahara Egypt Company), in order to support the localization of barley cultivation and improve its quality to the highest international quality levels, in accordance with the requirements of the malt and barley beverage industry .

The sustainable barley cultivation program is one of the pillars of Al-Ahram Beverages Company’s strategy to deepen local manufacturing and build more resilient supply chains, as the company relies on 100% locally grown barley, within a local supply system through which more than 90% of the raw materials used in its operations are provided from the Egyptian market, thus reducing dependence on imports and supporting local added value .

This approach is consistent with the priorities of the Egyptian state in developing the agricultural sector, especially with regard to raising the efficiency of water use and increasing agricultural productivity, through expanding modern agricultural practices and supporting scientific research and practical application on the ground .

This program is based on a long-standing partnership between Al-Ahram Beverages Company and the Agricultural Research Center (ARC), spanning over forty years. The first formal cooperation protocol was signed in 2014 with ARC, affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, with the aim of developing high-quality barley varieties and reducing reliance on imports. This collaboration was further strengthened by the signing of a tripartite cooperation protocol in September 2025 between Al-Ahram Beverages Company, ARC, and Sahara Egypt Company. The protocol aims to develop barley varieties specifically for malt production that meet industrial requirements, support agricultural sustainability, and boost local production . This collaboration includes implementing a comprehensive research program encompassing the development of new varieties, maintaining strain purity, and producing basic seeds for propagation across Sahara Egypt Company's farms. This will allow for the gradual replacement of current varieties used in malt production. The program also extends to developing hybridization programs and conducting specialized studies on water and carbon footprints, ensuring the production of high-quality varieties with high yields and the ability to withstand diverse environmental conditions .

In this context, the program focuses on improving water use efficiency in the initial stages of agriculture through the application of smart farming practices, which has contributed to achieving annual water savings estimated at about 530,000 cubic meters of water, which enhances the sustainability of natural resources and is in line with the directions of the Egyptian state to manage water more efficiently within the framework of Egypt Vision 2030 .

The sustainable barley cultivation program is not limited to one location, as barley cultivation is being implemented on a wider scale across the country, with a total of approximately 15,000 acres distributed across several agricultural regions, according to climate considerations, land characteristics, and various agricultural partnerships, while the East Oweinat farms represent one of the main stations in this program during the current harvest season .

Al-Ahram Beverages Company, through its malt factory in the Sixth of October City, manufactures malt from the local barley crop according to the highest technical specifications, to meet the needs of the local market, in addition to directing about 40% of the malt production to regional export, which reflects the ability of Egyptian agriculture and industry to compete in foreign markets when an integrated system is available that starts from the field and ends with the final product .

During the program's stops, the Al-Ahram Beverages Company's malt factory in 6th of October City, established in 2005 and the first and only one of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, was featured. It serves as a key link between agriculture and industrial needs, manufacturing various types of malt using state-of-the-art systems and technologies. The factory holds several internationally recognized certifications in quality, food safety, environmental management, and occupational health and safety, including FSSC 22000 Ver.6 , ISO 9001:2015 , ISO 14001:2015 , and ISO 45001:2018 . It is also on the Food Safety Authority's white list, reflecting the company's commitment to quality standards and compliance . The factory's role extends beyond production; it supports a comprehensive sustainability system by recycling malt waste (such as barley bran) for use in animal feed.

Nikolay Mladenov, Managing Director of Al-Ahram Beverages, said : “I am happy and proud to be here today in the heart of the agricultural land to witness the opening of the 2026 barley harvest season. For us, localizing supply chains is not just an operational approach, but a strategic choice that reflects our confidence in Egypt’s capabilities and future potential for self-sufficiency. Today, we rely on 100 % local barley, and more than 90% of our raw materials are sourced from the Egyptian market, because we believe that true value begins with agriculture and ends with a product capable of competing by global standards . We are committed to providing 100% natural barley beverages. This approach is not just an operational decision, but a commitment that reflects our confidence in Egypt and our endeavor to build more resilient and sustainable local supply chains, capable of supporting national industry and achieving a measurable impact.”

He added : “What distinguishes the sustainable barley cultivation program is that it is a clear model of integration between scientific research, industry, and implementation on the ground through our long-standing partnership with the Agricultural Research Center and Sahara Egypt Company. We also focus on tangible results, including achieving annual water savings estimated at about 530,000 cubic meters through improved farming practices and resource management. We see this experience as clearly aligned with the state’s priorities and Egypt’s Vision 2030, especially with the stated goal of raising the percentage of land benefiting from water-saving practices to 100% by 2030, which makes investing in smart agriculture and water efficiency an essential part of the future of sustainability in Egypt .”

For his part, Dr. Maher El-Maghraby, Deputy Director of the Agricultural Research Center and Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Projects, affirmed that the partnership between the Agricultural Research Center and Al-Ahram Beverages and Sahari Egypt companies represents a model for linking science with industry to achieve food security and localize the production of malted barley. This forward-looking vision aims to develop high-quality agricultural varieties that are resistant to climate change, thus ensuring the stability of the national industry and addressing the challenges of global supply chains.

Engineer Mohamed Abdel-Latif, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sahara Egypt Company, said: “It is my pleasure to have the leaders of Al-Ahram Beverages Company and scientists from the Agricultural Research Center honor Sahara Egypt Company’s farms with their presence to inaugurate the 2026 harvest season. This reflects the extent of the alignment of vision and the unity of goals to reach a sustainable partnership supported by scientific research, especially since this visit comes as an extension of previous visits that our farms in East Oweinat have been honored with over many years, to confirm that the existing and continuous sustainability during the coming years is based on solid foundations of trust and exchange of experiences to reach the best results.”

This cooperation comes within the framework of the Egyptian state’s support for agricultural investment and the encouragement of local products, and the strengthening of the role of partnerships between the government and private sectors in developing agriculture and achieving food security, which contributes to building a sustainable development model based on localizing value chains and supporting national industry .

-I finish-

#Company Data

Disclaimer regarding the content of press releases
The content of this press release is provided by a third-party provider. We do not assume any responsibility for, nor do we have any control over, such content. This content is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and is not edited in any way. Neither we, nor our affiliates, will be liable for the accuracy, endorsement, or completeness of any opinions, views, information, or materials contained in this content.
This press release is provided for informational purposes only; the content does not constitute legal, investment, or tax advice, nor does it offer any opinion on the suitability, value, or profitability of any particular portfolio or investment strategy. Neither we nor our affiliates will be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions you take based on that content. You expressly agree and acknowledge full responsibility for your use of the information contained in this press release.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Refinitiv, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, relevant shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers, and licensors (collectively, the 'Refinitiv Parties') shall not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive, or exemplary damages; This includes, but is not limited to, losses of profits, savings, or revenues, whether due to negligence, tort, contract, or other theories of liability, even if the parties to Refinitiv were advised of the possibility of any such damages or losses occurring or actually anticipated them.