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Qatar (Photo courtesy of the National Tourism Council) <\/p>\n Qatar (Photo courtesy of the National Tourism Council) <\/p>\n
In April, Unilever opened two new tea factories in Doha, Qatar, with sufficient capacity to supply growing local markets.<\/p>\n
The Middle East is not far behind Asia Pacific in tea consumption leading Unilever to expand its capacity in Qatar. Regionally Turkey, Kuwait, Iran and the United Arab Emerites have some of the highest per capita consumption in the world. is the world\u2019s largest re-exporter of tea and home to Unilever\u2019s second largest tea production facility, producing 1.2 million tea bags per hour (or 6 billion tea bags per year).<\/p>\n
Inaugurated by the Qatar Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari on April 28, the high-volume factories are located in the New Industrial Area of Doha, a neighborhood that features advanced infrastructure and logistics. The factories will be managed by the Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company with two production lines\u2014one to cater to hospitality (5 kilogram packs for stores, cafes and restaurants) and another for the retail market (producing volumes of 200 grams, 450 grams and 950 grams). <\/p>\n
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In Qatar, like much of the Middle East, black tea is the tea of choice, with Unilever\u2019s Lipton and Red Label making up more than two thirds of the domestic market. High per capita consumption led the ministry to push for their own packaging plant. At the launch, Al Kuwari was quoted as saying, \u201cThe opening of the plant is one of the fruits of Qatar\u2019s ongoing efforts to achieve partnership with the private sector and support them and encourage them to contribute to the national economy and achieve value addition.\u201d<\/p>\n
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(Photo courtesy of Unilever) <\/p>\n
In 2016, the ended the import monopoly on 35 household items, including tea. Opening the market to outside vendors brought down prices. In 2018, Qatar\u2019s tea imports were valued , most of which is imported packet tea. <\/p>\n
The launch of the new factory is considered part of the country\u2019s move towards , especially in food. Qatar\u2019s National Vision 2030 has been in progress since its launch in 2008, to \u201ctransform Qatar into an advanced society capable of achieving sustainable development.\u201d <\/p>\n
Unilever, the parent company to Lipton, recently closed its factory in Vorst, Belgium to consolidate operations in Katowice, Poland.<\/p>\n
Qatar (Photo courtesy of the National Tourism Council) In April, Unilever opened two new tea factories in Doha, Qatar, with sufficient capacity to supply growing local markets. The Middle East is not far behind Asia Pacific in tea consumption leading Unilever to expand its capacity in Qatar. Regionally Turkey, Kuwait, Iran and the United Arab<\/p>\n