Latvia plans to expand its plant protein sector in Liepāja
New Food Protein Plant Opens in Liepāja, Latvia
A new food protein plant has been inaugurated in Liepāja, Latvia, marking a significant addition to the city's agricultural and industrial landscape. The plant, primarily funded by co-owners Mahmoud Ahmed and Bunge (one of the world's largest food and agriculture companies), is expected to double its workforce this year, reaching 50 employees.
The plant, located in Liepāja, will primarily source its raw materials from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It will also include a research center for food protein, which will analyze the quality of the produced protein and potentially develop new products. The research center could lead to innovative advancements in protein sources, particularly plant-based, to meet the growing global demand for alternative proteins and healthy nutrition options.
The plant's development will also include two additional production lines and a packaging line. This expansion is expected to create more job opportunities, with Mahmoud Ahmed aiming to grow the workforce to 150 employees in the next two years. The growing workforce has already attracted interest from local residents, as evident during the assembly of the plant's equipment.
The inauguration of the plant was attended by agricultural cooperatives from all over Latvia, with some already signing cooperation agreements for the supply of peas and beans, while others are still planning to become partners. The plant's Director, Girts Krūmiņš, believes the plant will encourage farmers to grow peas and beans.
The protein produced at the plant is planned for export to the US, Japan, China, and other countries with growing demand for vegetarian food. The plant's development is also expected to attract new professionals to the city, as suggested by Uldis Hmielevskis, the manager of the Liepaja Special Economic Zone.
The new food protein plant is associated with Al Dahra, a United Arab Emirates agri-food company, and is part of Latvia's broader agricultural modernization and export strategy. The plant represents a strategic initiative in bio-based protein production, integrating with global supply chains and fostering research collaboration. This initiative aligns with recent developments in bioeconomy and biotechnology in Liepāja, positioning the city as a hub for sustainable food production.
The new food protein plant, partly financed by Mahmoud Ahmed and Bunge, is a significant insertion into Liepāja's agricultural, industrial, and business landscape, with plans to increase its workforce from 50 to 150 employees in the next two years. The plant, expected to export protein to countries with growing vegetarian food demand, such as the US, Japan, and China, will also conduct research into plant-based protein sources at its research center, potentially leading to innovation in food-and-drink lifestyle.
