UAE-based FMCG group Unikai expands into Bahrain

UAE-based FMCG company Unikai Foods has announced plans to expand into Bahrain following an agreement signed with Behzad Group.

Under the deal, Behzad will distribute Unikai’s portfolio of products in the Bahraini market.

“We see great potential in the Bahraini FMCG market,” said Unikai chairman Mana Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla.

“We are happy to bring our four main categories of diary, juice, ice-cream, and foods to consumers in the kingdom through this partnership.

“Our expectations are high and we are confident that the resultant competition among different players will benefit consumers.”

Unikai, which is currently present in 29 countries across the Middle East and North Africa region, is planning to expand its footprint further across the UAE and Oman in 2016.

In May, the company also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatar Foods & Services, a subdivision of Quality Group International – to expand its presence in Qatar.

Quality Group International is a major supplier of consumer products to wholesalers, retailers and hypermarkets and supermarkets in Qatar.

“We have studied the Qatari market closely, because of its vitality and competitiveness. We are extremely confident about this move, and hope to create a loyal client base across Qatar,” Al Mulla said at the time.

“The food market is a vital sector that is immune to global uncertainties… Our expansion plans across the GCC are going full swing,” he added.

According to a report by Al Masah Capital, the GCC food services market is predicted to grow at compound annual growth rate of 6.8 per cent to reach $24.5bn in 2018.