The new facility has a capacity to set around 24 million eggs per year and more than doubles Zarbal’s current overall capacity, increasing the company’s production from around three million parent stock birds per year to around 10 million. The hatchery equipment, imported from Europe, is world-class and of the most modern standards. The investment in this world-class hatchery enables Zarbal to continue to supply the highest quality Ross 308 chicks to the majority of the Iranian market, while ensuring facilities adhere to the highest biosecurity requirements.

John Maguire, Ross sales manager for the Middle East and Africa, said: "Zarbal is our distributor for Ross parent stock in Iran and we are delighted by the progress of the business and grateful for the long-term partnership. We are confident that this investment in a new hatchery and state-of-the-art equipment will be matched by a continuing rise in local demand for Ross 308 – the capacity is there to handle what is a growing market."

E. Ghorbani, managing director of Zarbal GP Company, said: "Our operations continue to grow and the investment in this facility demonstrates our commitment to the market. Demand for Ross products is extremely high in Iran and we are always looking for new ways to maintain the high quality of the product – investing in the future is the best way to ensure that remains the case."