BIA has been among the top players in the European market for decades and is a world leader in the production of organic couscous. This Italian company is highly specialized in couscous production in its 3 manufacturing plants in Argenta (Ferrara – Italy) – all of them within a sustainable radius of 3km – one of which is entirely dedicated to the gluten-free segment.
The production capacity is 54.000 tons, and today BIA produces over 24 million boxes in a year. BIA produces and packages couscous under the BIA brand and the most important private labels, retail, food service, and industry in Italy and 50 countries all around the world.
Exports are worth 80% of the whole production, which is completely certified (BRC, IFS, Organic, Naturland, Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, Halal, and FDA).
Thanks to its research team and experience, BIA can develop customized products from any raw material and it also takes care of packaging – from graphic design to delivery. BIA couscous is processed by special production lines designed to reproduce, with the same precision and knowledge, the traditional hand movements mixing durum wheat semolina and water. Couscous is then gently steamed and dried.
This production process, meticulously refined over the years, allows BIA to make and develop couscous from many raw materials to which only water is added. The company can produce classic durum wheat couscous (white, whole wheat, and semi-whole wheat), and couscous made with other cereals such as spelt, barley, corn, rice, and legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, buckwheat, and green peas.
Thanks to an innovative packaging system, BIA can meet all the customers’ needs having a wide variety of sizes – from 250g, 400g, 500g, and 1kg boxes to 3kg, 5kg, 10kg, and 20kg bags, up to big bags of 1 ton.
In addition, the BIA couscous has a sustainable impact on the environment as well as very important resources such as water and energy:
- the water used in its preparation is completely absorbed without waste
- it can also be rehydrated with water at room temperature, saving energy
- the packaging is designed to be 100% recyclable and completely plastic-free
Therefore, BIA couscous allows to save important and valuable resources every day: in addition to water and energy, customers can also save time. If couscous is prepared using water at room temperature it can be prepared even outside the kitchen, maybe in the office or on the road.
Couscous is a dish with a history dating back thousands of years but at the same time of current relevance. Spread over 4 continents, it is both global and local, as it has been absorbing every country’s traditions and cultures.
Couscous has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2019. For this reason, BIA has always contributed to spreading its culture and values. For example, through the sponsorship of the most important event in the world dedicated to it: the Cous Cous Fest, the International Festival of Cultural Integration which takes place in Sicily at the end of September.
“It is with great pleasure that we support the Couscous Fest – explains Matteo Biagini, Marketing Manager of BIA Couscous – because we have always cared about internationalization and cultural exchange. Couscous is a dish of peace and sharing which enriches us.”
