Juhayna Food Industries, a prominent Egyptian dairy, juice, and cooking product manufacturer under the leadership of Safwan Thabet, has secured a six-year financing facility worth over $36 million from Commercial International Bank, Egypt (CIB) to expand its citrus processing capacity, while one of its subsidiaries has separately obtained EGP1.73 billion ($31.6 million) in long-term financing to strengthen livestock production.

The citrus facility comprises EGP1.73 billion ($31.6 million) and EGP255 million ($4.7 million), according to a filing with the Egyptian Exchange. The investment will finance a new citrus processing line, improve operational efficiency and support exports, as Juhayna seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign-currency imports.

The financing comes alongside an eight-year facility secured by Enmaa for Agriculture & Livestock Development, a Juhayna subsidiary, to fund farm infrastructure upgrades and increase milk production capacity.

Juhayna targets citrus concentrate exports

The new processing line is expected to expand Juhayna’s citrus concentrate production capacity, allowing the company to serve international markets while supplying its domestic juice brands.

The investment builds on Egypt’s position as the world’s largest exporter of fresh oranges, giving the country an established supply base for citrus processing. By converting locally available oranges into concentrate, Juhayna aims to develop an exportable, value-added product and reduce dependence on imported concentrate.

The strategy also gives the company two potential sales channels. Domestic juice brands can absorb production when export prices weaken, while overseas contracts provide opportunities to generate foreign currency when local demand softens.

The allocation of capital to juice and nectar, which account for approximately 18% of Juhayna’s sales, reflects their export potential. Dairy contributes roughly three-quarters of sales but remains a more mature, domestically focused business with comparatively limited export opportunities.

However, the commercial success of the expansion will depend on concentrate prices, production costs and export volumes generating sufficient returns to support the dollar-denominated portion of the financing.

Enmaa secures EGP1.73 billion for farm expansion

Separately, Enmaa signed an eight-year financing agreement worth EGP1.73 billion ($31.6 million) with CIB to expand its livestock operations, according to a company disclosure to the Egyptian Exchange on November 10.

The facility will finance additional cattle housing, the establishment of a milking parlour and upgrades to existing farm infrastructure. Enmaa also plans to increase its cattle herd to raise milk production capacity and strengthen the infrastructure supporting Juhayna’s dairy business.

The investment represents a broader expansion of the subsidiary’s production capabilities rather than a single infrastructure upgrade. Its eight-year repayment structure provides a longer-term financing framework for the planned developments. Juhayna has not disclosed the expected increase in herd size, additional milk output or the projected financial contribution of the expansion.

Safwan Thabet’s strategic leadership and distribution network support growth

Founded nearly four decades ago by Egyptian businessman Safwan Thabet, Juhayna has grown into one of Egypt’s leading manufacturers of dairy, juice and cooking products. Thabet, a prominent North African consumer goods entrepreneur, retains a controlling stake of more than 50% in the company through Pharon Investments Limited.

Juhayna operates four factories and 39 distribution centres, supplying more than 243,000 retail outlets across Egypt and exporting to more than 34 markets.

The two financing arrangements direct capital towards different parts of its operations: citrus processing for export-oriented growth and livestock infrastructure for increased domestic milk production. Together, the investments are intended to strengthen supply capacity, improve operational efficiency and support the company’s expansion across its dairy and juice businesses.