The dairy project in Algeria is among the largest single orders in GEA’s history, with a value between EUR 140 and 170 million.
At an official ceremony in Algiers at the end of July, Qatari food and dairy producer Baladna, the Algerian government, and German technology group GEA signed a contract to establish the world’s largest integrated dairy farm and milk powder plant in Algeria. Representing one of the largest single orders in GEA’s history, the contract is valued at between EUR 140 and 170 million and is expected to be booked in the second half of 2025.
GEA will be responsible for delivering a wide range of agricultural and processing equipment, alongside process design and related services. In other words, a complete technical solution that spans the entire value chain – from milking and primary agricultural production to the processing and packaging of milk powder. Production is scheduled to begin at the end of 2027, with the facility’s capacity set to gradually increase to around 100,000 tons per year.
The project is driven by Algeria’s heavy reliance on imports. Currently, the country is the world’s third-largest importer of milk powder. With the new facility, located in Adrar Province around 90 km from the capital, approximately half of Algeria’s national demand will be covered locally. The project is being implemented as a partnership between the Algerian state investment fund and Baladna, through the newly established company Baladna Algeria S.P.A.
Beyond strengthening Algeria’s food security, the facility is expected to create around 5,000 local jobs, thereby contributing to economic development in the region.
Read the full press release from GEA HERE
Photo: Baladna/GEA
