The Kingdom has recorded surpluses in its top three food products during the past year as a result of the intensive efforts undertaken by the government to achieve self-sufficiency in food commodities.
Dates lead the way with a remarkable 124% increase, followed by dairy products at 118%, and table eggs at 117%.
At the beginning of 2023, Saudi Arabia decided to transform the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) into the General Food Security Authority (GFSA), a move aimed at improving performance indicators and achieving national objectives in the development and growth of the sector.
This underscores the Kingdom’s determination to attain self-sufficiency in all food items and products.
According to the agricultural statistics report issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) on Thursday, the self-sufficiency rate for potato crops in the past year reached 80%, while poultry meat stood at 68%, and tomatoes at 67%.
Red meat followed at 60%, carrots at 50%, fish at 48%, and onions at 44%.
Citrus fruits, on the other hand, ranked at the lowest end of the spectrum, with a self-sufficiency rate of 15%.
Ibrahim Al-Turki, the head of the National Agriculture Committee at the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, stated that the two wings of the Kingdom’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030, are working in harmony: one in the public sector, and the other in the private sector.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Turki pointed out that the efforts of relevant agencies to facilitate local companies and farmers have borne fruit in achieving the targeted food security goals in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Turki emphasized the importance of food security, especially in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affirming that the high level of self-sufficiency in strategic food commodities such as dairy, eggs, dates, and potatoes has also positively influenced prices, making them competitive and accessible to all.
The chairman of the agriculture committee further explained that the surplus in certain products has a positive impact on the local market and consumers.
