Saudi PIF to Set Up Sawani Camel Dairy Company

Sawani contributes to the development of the local production system to reach sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sawani contributes to the development of the local production system to reach sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi PIF to Set Up Sawani Camel Dairy Company

Sawani contributes to the development of the local production system to reach sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sawani contributes to the development of the local production system to reach sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has set up the Sawani Company to enable the growth of the Saudi camel farming industry and actively contribute to its sustainable development.

Sawani aims to be a leading producer of camel dairy products, supporting Saudi Arabia's wider Food and Agriculture sector and helping to diversify the Saudi economy, in line with Vision 2030.

The company will work in partnership with the private sector to boost the production capacity of the camel dairy industry and seek to elevate the standards of the domestic production ecosystem by modernizing operations, improving the localization of knowledge, and investing in the sector's latest technologies.

PIF has invested strategically in the Food and Agriculture sector to help diversify the Saudi economy and support its unique produce industries.

Among these investments are its creation of the Saudi Coffee Company, which promotes Saudi Khulani coffee beans, and the Halal Products Development Company, which invests in the halal products sector.

Since 2017, PIF has established 84 companies in 13 strategic sectors.

Sawani will place sustainability at the center of all production, distribution, and marketing stages and raise awareness of camel dairy products' health benefits among consumers.

It will also showcase the unique history and cultural heritage of camel husbandry within Saudi Arabia.

Camel milk is commonly known for its nutritional benefits, including high amounts of minerals and vitamins such as A, B, E, and C.

It is also rich in calcium, protein, and antioxidants, considered low in cholesterol, and is easy to digest.

The Head of PIF's Consumer Goods and Retail in the Mena Investments Division, Majed al-Assaf, said Saudi Arabia has extensive experience and knowledge of the camel dairy industry and enormous potential to expand its operational capabilities and the broader ecosystem.

Assaf noted that these factors are a competitive advantage across the entire supply chain, which, alongside investment, "will enable significant growth of the industry, and eventually lead to the export of camel dairy products, which have many nutritional benefits, to regional and global markets."

The establishment of Sawani will support the growth of the Food and Agriculture sector and contribute to sustainable economic and social development, in line with Vision 2030.

A key part of the company's strategy is to increase awareness and knowledge of the industry to preserve it and drive sustainable growth by introducing the best scientific practices in modern manufacturing technologies locally.



Gold in Holding Pattern as Markets Await US Data

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
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Gold in Holding Pattern as Markets Await US Data

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

Gold prices slipped in thin trade on Monday, as markets awaited next week's US economic data and the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump's return to office on the Federal Reserve's 2025 outlook.

Spot gold was down 0.1% to $2,618.99 per ounce as of 1315 GMT. US gold futures were steady at $2,632.30.

"Quiet day with lower liquidity across all asset classes likely due to the holiday season," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said, adding that market participants will track upcoming US economic data to see if the economy is slowing, which would allow the Fed to keep cutting interest rates.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said earlier this month that US central bank officials "are going to be cautious about further cuts" after a quarter-point rate reduction in December, in line with expectations, Reuters reported.

For insights into the health of the world's economy, traders await next week's US job openings data, the ADP employment report, the Fed's December FOMC meeting minutes, and the US employment report.

"We still see the same factors in place which supported gold in 2024 - ongoing central bank purchases with a desire to diversify their reserves and ongoing US rate cuts supporting investment demand," Staunovo said.

Gold has gained around 27% so far this year. It hit an all-time high of $2,790.15 on Oct. 31.

Markets expect significant US policy shifts in 2025, including potential tariffs, deregulation, and tax changes, after Trump returns to the White House in January.

Gold is considered a hedge against economic and geopolitical turmoil.

Spot silver was steady at $29.37 per ounce, platinum edged lower by 0.5% to $915.07, having hit an over three-month low on Friday.

Palladium fell 0.1% to $911.10.