Edita Food Industries, a leading Egyptian snack food producer, has officially entered the Iraqi market through a strategic partnership with Tuama Jebur Abbas (TJA), a family-owned snack manufacturer based in Baghdad. This partnership marks a key milestone in Edita’s regional growth strategy as the company acquires a 49% stake in TJA for $8 million through a capital increase.
As part of the agreement, Edita will set up its first local production facility in Iraq, signaling a shift from its previous export-based model to in-country manufacturing. Over the next three years, Edita plans to invest $27 million to expand operations, double production capacity, and introduce its popular snack brands to the Iraqi market.
The partnership will form a new entity, Edita Iraq, which will operate under a UAE-based holding company, granting Edita management control. The deal includes TJA’s existing factory, which currently features three production lines—two for cakes and one for biscuits. These facilities will undergo significant upgrades to meet the increased demand and efficiency standards, leveraging Edita’s technical expertise and manufacturing knowledge.
Hani Berzi, Chairman and CEO of Edita, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating: “Iraq’s rapidly growing economy and untapped snack food market present a tremendous opportunity for us to establish a national leader in the industry. We’re excited to collaborate with TJA, whose deep local expertise will help us bring Edita’s innovative products to Iraqi consumers.”
This move represents a strategic effort by Edita to tap into the promising potential of the Iraqi market, expanding its footprint in the MENA region while contributing to the development of the local economy.
