Cobb is strategically expanding its presence in Africa through a new joint venture with the Irvine’s Group. The Irvine’s Group, Cobb’s longest-standing distributor, has been actively involved in the production and distribution of Cobb products in Africa for an impressive span of 72 years. The focus of this joint venture is the establishment of a new grandparent (GP) operation in Tanzania, aimed at providing East Africa with a sustainable source of healthy, affordable, and high-quality broiler breeding stock.
This initiative serves to reinforce Cobb’s already robust foothold in the region, benefiting from the widespread recognition of the Cobb brand and the successful distribution efforts led by Irvine’s over the years.
Roy Mutimer, Vice President EMEA & Asia-Pacific for Cobb, expressed the significance of this move, stating, “This is the first time that Cobb will invest directly in Africa, and we are excited to commit to the development of a market with extraordinary growth potential. Irvine’s, with over seventy years of experience in sub-Saharan Africa, will be a valuable partner for Cobb, creating a recipe for success.”
The challenges posed by freight costs and the prevalence of High-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have led to a decrease in the reliability of the current supply chain from Europe. The joint venture anticipates addressing these challenges by enhancing market access and ensuring a more dependable supply. Cobb’s commitment extends to improving egg production in existing lines and developing new genetic lines tailored to the environmental conditions of Sub-Saharan Africa.
“With over 700 million people, Sub-Saharan Africa holds tremendous long-term potential, and we are enthusiastic about this new partnership and the future of Cobb East Africa,” remarked Mutimer.
The collaboration will leverage Irvine’s established market development initiatives, local expertise, and the existing parent stock operation in Tanzania. Local production through Cobb East Africa is anticipated to result in a more cost-effective and reliable supply of Cobb products to the region. This strategic move aligns with Cobb’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for quality poultry products in Sub-Saharan Africa.
