Soufflet Malt Ethiopia covers beer barley demand with domestic production
Addis Ababa, October 28, 2022 (FBC) – Soufflet Malt Ethiopia announced that it has created the capacity to fully cover the beer barley demand with Ethiopian domestic barley production.
For this reason, the company confirmed that it will not import any barley input during the current fiscal year.
It is to be remembered that FDRE Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated this French-based plant, built with €60 million, last May.
Back then, the Premier mentioned that Soufflet Malt Ethiopia would get 75 percent of the beer barley it needs from the domestic supply.
The Prime Minister at that time set the direction that Ethiopia’s beer barley needs should be fully covered with domestic barley production.
Jean Benoit Vivet, the General Manager of Soufflet Group, stated that Ethiopia is one of the largest producers of barley in Africa. Therefore, it is suitable for beer and malt production, he added.
The GM also mentioned that the maltries plant has carried out various activities to fully cover its raw material needs in the country.
The factory currently has the capacity to produce 60,000 tons of malt per year. He further pointed out that the plant is developing a plan to produce 120,000 tons of malt in the next fiscal year.
The General Manager indicated that they need 80,000 tons of beer barley this fiscal year. Hence, the plant confirmed that the current domestic barley production in Ethiopia can definitely cover the demanded input.
In addition, he said that the factory is also moving to completely replace the imported beer barley, which Ethiopia spends about 100 million dollars.
“We are working together with farmers to meet the growing demand for beer barley”, said Jean Vivet.
He mentioned that the number of farmers working with the organization has reached more than 70,000.
In addition to the market linkage, the factory is benefitting the farmers with sufficient supply of the best seeds, technical support and financial provision.
According to the company’s data, Soufflet Malt Ethiopia is the first malteries plant in Africa and the 28th in the world, as per ENA.