Egypt launches country-wide food security network with Blumberg Grain

-- Project to transform domestic wheat storage infrastructure

CAIRO, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Blumberg Grain, in partnership with the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade and the Army Engineering Authority, is developing one of the world's largest and most sophisticated integrated food security systems for grain storage.

The project covers 93 sites throughout Egypt, and is expected to be operational for the next wheat harvest season. The new grain storage system will support Egyptian farmers in recovering crops lost to post harvest losses, saving Egypt an estimated LE 1 billion annually.

This first phase contract represents US$ 28 million in food security technology and systems for storage of locally grown wheat. Expansion of the storage network is anticipated for additional dry grains as well as cold storage needs, using Blumberg Grain's integrated systems.

David Blumberg credits the Army Engineering Authority and the Ministry of Supply for expediting the project, which had sustained some delays last month. "This begins the implementation of Minister Hanafy's vision for Egypt to become the food security center for the Middle East. We commend the Minister and his staff for turning concept into action. The Army Engineering Authority also played a key role in coordinating this agreement, and is expediting the project through engineering and civil construction phases. We are very pleased to be working with the Army Engineering Authority on this project."

Blumberg Grain has also announced that it intends to build a self-financed factory and export hub to produce food storage technology and systems for the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region and has been entertaining offers from possible locations, including Egypt.

David Blumberg added, "Though the ongoing competition for our MENA Manufacturing Plant has not concluded, the contract places Egypt in a good position to gain the Manufacturing Plant and the company's investment program of up to $250 million in processing and packaging facilities as well as high yield farming."

According to Christian Rath, Blumberg Grain's Head of Applied Engineering, "The Blumberg Grain Manufacturing Plant would be one of the largest of its kind, with a production capacity of 1200 food storage buildings annually and the capability to manufacture food security equipment, both for the Egyptian market and for export of 'Made in Egypt' food storage systems throughout the Middle East."

The MENA Manufacturing Plant will create 1000 new jobs, as well as an economic impact estimated by KPMG at US$ 1 billion in the first year, and US$ 7 billion over five years. Furthermore, the plant will increase exports and utilize local content in the manufacturing process.

The MENA Manufacturing Plant will also include an Agricultural Institute to train farmers in techniques to raise crop yields and better secure and protect the quantity and quality of the harvest.

Selection of the country-location and ground breaking is planned for early next year.

Despite the challenges facing Egypt, Blumberg Grain remains optimistic about the country's future. Philip Blumberg, Chairman and CEO, said, "We admire President's Sisi's courage to enact difficult measures to stabilize the nation's fiscal policy and his staunch stance against extremists, in a region growing more and more volatile. We hope to be one of the first major manufacturing investors in Egypt since the change in government."

Philip Blumberg concluded by saying, "Though it's been a challenge previously to execute investment programs in Egypt, under President Sisi we are seeing a positive change in the attitude in government and the speed in implementing infrastructure projects to improve the Egyptian economy and create jobs."

About Blumberg Grain

Blumberg Grain is a leading global food security company, providing harvest protection systems and technology. Blumberg Grain's fully integrated crop and food security systems can reduce post-harvest losses of grain, produce, and other perishables to 5% or less. Blumberg Grain works with private companies and countries to modernize agricultural value chains, increase the quality and marketable output of their harvests, enable efficient market timing, and significantly boost exports of agriculture products.

For a video describing the Shouna Development Project, please see: http://youtu.be/W8xOyIFfxlc

For a video describing the MENA Manufacturing Plant and Export Hub, please see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohphDS2GKhQ

For more information, please visit www.blumberggrain.com or email [e-mail].

Contact Eric Flohr ([e-mail]; +20.120.4148813; +1.410.707-5235)
or Vicki Rosa ([e-mail]; +1.305.403.2283) for further inquiries.