LT Foods, a global Indian foods brand with presence in more than 65 countries today commenced operations its first rice processing plant in Europe at Rotterdam, Netherlands. LT Foods has made an investment of USD 15 million in the plant with initial capacity of 60,000 tonnes and scope for further expansion in the future.

The company plans to make its most popular 'Daawat' brand a household name in Europe using raw material from India. The move will benefit 5000 farmer families in India with brown rice supply increasing from India.

LT Foods plant is the first rice processing plant by any Indian foods brand in Europe. LT Foods plans to expand its geographical footprint in important markets of Europe and UK through this plant by increasing its sales from the current 5,000 tonnes to 60,000 tonnes over the next 3 years. The Company would be manufacturing a wide range of rice including popular varieties like Basmati, Thai, Jasmine and American rice from the new plant. Rotterdam, which is popularly known as the gateway to Europe will be a critical geographical location as it will give the Company easy access to the whole of Europe and UK for its expansion plans.

Vijay Kumar Arora, chairman & managing director, LT Foods said, ''This would be our first plant in Europe and we are very excited about the opportunity. We are extremely thankful to the Netherlands government which has been supportive and business friendly for our initiative. The plant would generate new job opportunities in the country and help us expand our geographical footprint across Europe and UK.''

Shares of the company gained Rs 0.75, or 1.12%, to trade at Rs 67.80. The total volume of shares traded was 16,840 at the BSE (9.33 a.m., Thursday).