Alrifai, Company

In 1948, Hajj Moussa Al Rifai opened a small shop on Mazraa Street to roast and sell nuts and kernels, at a time when the whole business and trade activities were concentrated at Al Bourg area, the heart of Lebanon. Soon this venture proved to be successful due to the highest quality standards applied from the first day of existence and the will to catch up with the pace of technological development. With time, the company became know as Al-Rifai Roastery. It developed into the most advanced roasting machines and a small shop that once started at Mazraa has evolved into a chain of modern stores. The company moved into the leadership in this field in Lebanon and the Middle East. More than 30 varieties of roasted nuts are packed in special containers that seal out oxygen and humidity. Hajj Moussa was first to be called upon by the Foch St. Merchants to check whether the imported whole nuts or kernels were of good quality. If he purchased the product, then all the others would. His taste became like a quality control standardization mechanism. Hajj Moussa was the first Lebanese roaster to start exporting to Africa and Canada between 1960 and 1965. In 1977, the company imported a state-of-the art-packaging machine. Plastic packing material was introduced by the second generation. Moreover, it was one of its kinds in the Middle East Bay. Despite the turbulence that had shaken the country and the disaster caused by the total wipe out of the Hamra Branch in 1986 and the ruining of its plants, the company faced the tragedy head on with determination to subdue all difficulties. New branches were opened at Beirut Airport Duty Free zone, not to mention ABC and major Lebanese shopping centers. Many new branches followed at the rate of a branch per year, such as the prestigious Mkalles flagship, Fahed Supermarket’s express unit, Monoprix’s, Ghazali’s and Koraytem recently, with out forgetting to mention the previously installed outlet of Laban and Hamra Street. In 1988, Al Rifai introduced new products to the market such as smoked almonds, macadamia nuts, cheese cashews and curry pistachios