Al Ahram Beverages Expands Agricultural Partnership with New Environmental and Social Programs for Egyptian Farmers
Al Ahram Beverages Company (ABC) has entered a new phase of its cooperation with the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) and Sahara Egypt, renewing their trilateral agreement for the 2026/2027 barley season and introducing a dedicated environmental and social impact pillar.
The partnership, which brings together industrial expertise, agricultural research and field implementation, seeks to strengthen Egypt’s local barley value chain, improve farming practices and reduce reliance on imported raw materials. Its expanded scope will also provide direct economic and technical support to farmers and rural communities.
The agreement was renewed at ABC’s malt manufacturing facility in 6th of October City, with Nikolay Mladenov, Managing Director of ABC; Eng. Mohamed Abdallah, Chairman of Sahara Egypt; and Dr. Maher El-Maghraby, Vice President of ARC, signing the protocol.
Domestic Sourcing at the Core of the Partnership
The renewed cooperation supports ABC’s strategy of relying on domestic agricultural resources. The company sources 100% of its barley from Egyptian farms and purchases more than 90% of its overall raw material requirements from the local market.
The partnership aims to improve the sustainability of barley cultivation and supply chains, strengthen agricultural resilience and contribute to the competitiveness of Egypt’s agricultural economy.
ABC’s malt plant, established in 2005, is located in 6th of October City and is identified by the company as the first and only malt manufacturing facility of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa.
2025/2026 Results Include Significant Water Savings
The agreement follows progress made during the previous 2025/2026 agricultural season. Through cooperation among the three organizations, the program supported climate-smart farming methods and more efficient use of agricultural resources.
These activities resulted in estimated annual water savings of around 530,000 cubic meters. The partners also continued efforts to develop high-quality barley varieties and expand the role of local production.
According to the company, these measures support lower carbon emissions, decarbonization efforts and reduced dependence on imported supplies, while helping establish a more resilient agricultural system.
Two Programs Extend Support to 200 Farmers
A major addition to the renewed protocol is its environmental and social impact pillar, which aims to translate agricultural development into direct benefits for farming households.
The initiative will reach 200 farmers through two programs.
Under the first program, 100 farmers in Fayoum and Kafr El Sheikh will receive 6.5 tons of certified high-yield barley seeds. The program is expected to produce approximately 200 tons of grain and enable each participating farmer to produce up to 10 tons of green fodder. It is also expected to help raise household incomes by 25% to 35%.
The second program will target 100 additional farmers with technical knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiatives. Its objectives include increasing technical knowledge by 30%, reducing post-harvest losses by 15% and encouraging more sustainable agricultural practices.
Company Leadership Highlights the Wider Economic Impact
Nikolay Mladenov, Managing Director of Al Ahram Beverages Company, said the partnership has developed over more than four decades of cooperation with the Agricultural Research Center and has since expanded through the involvement of Sahara Egypt.
He said the integration of research, agricultural production and industrial processing has created a domestic value chain that transforms Egyptian-grown barley into high-quality products with regional and international competitiveness.
Mladenov pointed to the company’s local sourcing figures as evidence of its commitment to Egyptian agriculture and manufacturing. He added that around 40% of the malt plant’s output is exported to regional markets, while the facility also supplies the needs of the domestic market.
He described the new social impact pillar as an extension of the company’s sustainability strategy, with smallholder farmers receiving greater access to agricultural knowledge, technical expertise and resources. The aim is to strengthen their livelihoods and create broader opportunities throughout the agricultural value chain.
Dr. Maher El-Maghraby, Vice President of the Agricultural Research Center, said the renewed agreement demonstrates the effectiveness of cooperation between scientific research, agricultural application and industrial production.
He added that the partnership contributes to more efficient resource use, environmental protection and improved conditions for farmers and rural communities. He also emphasized the importance of scientific research in supporting sustainable agriculture and Egypt Vision 2030.
Eng. Mohamed Abdallah, Chairman of Sahara Egypt, said the renewal for a second consecutive year reflects the strength of cooperation between the three partners. He noted that the results of the previous season provided a foundation for expanding the initiative through the new social impact pillar.
Abdallah added that the expanded program is intended to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable agricultural families and reinforce local barley production as part of wider efforts to support the Egyptian economy and reduce imports.
Malt Manufacturing Facility Combines Production and Recycling
ABC’s malt plant in 6th of October City began operations in 2005 and is described as the first and only facility of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa.
The plant holds several internationally recognized certifications in quality management, food safety, environmental management and occupational health and safety, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and FSSC 22000. It is also listed on the National Food Safety Authority’s whitelist.
Alongside supplying the Egyptian market, the facility exports around 40% of its production to regional destinations.
Its operations also incorporate circular economy practices, including the recycling of malt by-products such as barley rootlets and broken grains for use in animal feed.
The renewed agreement reflects ABC’s continued focus on connecting local industrial production with agricultural research, environmental responsibility and farmer support, while strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of Egypt’s agricultural and industrial value chains.