Cobb completes first broiler delivery to Jordan in the Middle East

by Jeff Della Rosa ([email protected]) 785 views 

Siloam Springs-based broiler breeder Cobb-Vantress Inc. announced Wednesday (Jan. 13) the completion of its first shipment to Jordan last month after building a relationship with Saudi Arabia distributor Al-Watania Poultry.

The companies worked together to complete the first shipment of Cobb500 broilers as Cobb expands product availability in the Middle East. Jordan, with a population of more than 10 million, is between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Cobb500 broiler, the company’s most successful product, was developed by breeding together four individual lines of purebred stock. It became available in 1983.

“This is a significant step as we continue to bring quality products and expertise to this emerging market,” said Pelayo Casanovas, vice president of Cobb-Vantress EMEA and Asia-Pacific. “Supporting the Middle East is a priority for Cobb, and we expect this shipment will be the first of many for Cobb and Al-Watania Poultry into Jordan.”

Al-Watania Poultry, one of the leading poultry producers in the Middle East, signed a distributor agreement with Cobb in 2018 for the territories of Saudi Arabia and the surrounding Gulf Cooperation Council member countries. Since then, the companies have focused on expanding the daily production of broilers to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s initiative to increase area poultry production.

Cobb is providing technical support to Al-Watania Poultry, and its experts have been advisers on all aspects of production to help Al-Watania Poultry optimize flock performances, according to a news release.

“We are happy to deliver our high-quality expertise to all of our customers in the region,” said Mohammed Chail, business development manager at Cobb. “Al-Watania Poultry is a strong company that customers trust. We look forward to continuing to fulfill the growing demand in this region with premium and affordable products.”

Cobb has improved services to customers in the Middle East that have helped to reduce transportation time and provide security of supply. Meanwhile, Al-Watania Poultry has invested in quality facilities and personnel to help ensure a reliable supply for the region, the release shows.

“This is a great achievement for Cobb, Al-Watania Poultry and our customers,” said Mohammad Hamed Al-Shayea, vice president of production for Al-Watania Poultry. “We are like one family, and we will continue to serve the industry together.”

Cobb-Vantress, a company of Springdale-based meat producer Tyson Foods Inc., recently named Stan Reid as interim president after the departure of Joel Sappenfield, who joined Siloam Springs-based poultry producer Simmons Foods as president of Simmons Prepared Foods.

Established in 1916, Cobb is the oldest broiler breeder and distributes poultry to more than 120 countries.