Kekkilä-BVB and Agri Venture plan Egyptian factory for growing media

Kekkilä-BVB and Egyptian agritech firm Agri Venture are planning to establish a factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) to produce alternative growing media for precision agriculture. The project aims to support the cultivation of export-oriented crops such as mushrooms and blueberries, as well as land reclamation and desert soil enrichment projects.

Egypt’s Industry Minister Khaled Hashem discussed the initiative, noting that localizing production is a strategic priority to reduce reliance on imports. Currently, imported growing media accounts for approximately 30% of the costs associated with precision farming. By manufacturing these materials domestically, the project seeks to lower production costs, increase value in agricultural manufacturing, and support water-efficient farming technologies.

The facility is intended to serve the Egyptian domestic market while positioning the country as a production and export hub for European, African, and Arab markets. The initiative aligns with government efforts to link scientific research with industrial output and promote technologies that conserve water and improve resource efficiency in the agricultural sector.