National Prawn Company to showcase $700m desert Aquaculture farm at 'Sea Food Expo 2008'

The participation is in line with the company's aims to expand its regional market share and strengthen its leadership as the largest fully integrated 'stand alone' prawn farm in the world. Additionally, NPC also aims to enhance its white prawn production, with the company aiming to raise its output to over 45,000 tons annually by 2010 from its current annual production of 15,000 tons.

NPC is strategically situated south of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and boasts of leading-edge technologies that adheres to sustainability and high quality aquaculture farming standards. With a 3,000-strong workforce, the company maintains a completely self-sufficient farming operation - from power and water through to pond, plant and infrastructure construction.

Company officials have revealed that NPC's strong presence at the 'Sea Food Expo 2008' for the second year in a row is part of their aims to leverage the aquaculture and fisheries market, which is projected to exceed 123 million tons by 2009.

"We are witnessing growing demands for our main products as supreme quality, texture, colour and a uniquely brilliant taste are what makes our prawns one of the most sought after by chefs and food professionals throughout the world, and we are once again proud to take part in such a high profile event such as 'Sea Food Expo 2008'," said Mohamed Gamal Zaki, Marketing Support Manager, National Prawn Company.

He added:

"Our presence at the event will be marked by our world-renowned white prawns, which we distribute to over 30 countries. Further, we have high expectations that this will spill over to our expansion into fish aquaculture, which we will be undertaking very soon."

In addition to its products' outstanding taste and visual appeal, NPC also takes pride in offering buyers and consumers the confidence that they are purchasing a fully sustainable food product, which can be traced back to its all-natural origin.

The leading prawn exporter also guarantees its ISO accredited products to be antibiotic-free, thereby addressing the demands of end consumers, food service retailers, restaurants, hotels and supermarkets; who are aspiring to promote a fresh, clean, wholesome and consistent prawn variety. Furthermore, NPC's reliable services and unsurpassed food standards will also be a focus of its participation at 'Sea Food Expo 2008'.

"With around 1 billion people depending on seafood as their primary means of animal protein, we are witnessing soaring demand for high quality and safe prawns and cultured seafood, and a dedicated event, which will gather the world's leading seafood industry players under one roof is essential today more than ever. We are confident that the exhibition will serve as the best sourcing event in the region for seafood and processed products, technology, equipment and services.

In addition, 'Sea Food Expo 2008' also affords industry experts with a venue where they can discuss current environmental concerns and other economical and social challenges that are affecting the aquaculture market," concluded Nafees Ahmed, Project Manager, Orange Fairs & Events.

NPC joins a list of over 185 high profile companies from across 30 countries who will be exhibiting at the event, and which will be attended by representatives from the food service, hospitality, retail, research, education, government, transportation, logistics, import/export, packaging and aquaculture services sectors.

Other local firms that have confirmed their participation include Clearwater Seafood FZCO, Royal Culimer, Magentas, Gulf Seafood LLC, Atoz Foods, Deep Seafood L.L.C., East Fish Processing L.L.C, Six Brothers, Moton Tokyo General Trading, Dison Tech LLC, Royal Fisheries L.L.C, Ocean Fisheries LLC., and Technocrats. During the three-day show, exhibitors will highlight seafood products, technology and services as well as furnishings, fittings, cold storage systems, packaging and equipment designed for the industry.