Saudi Coffee Co. to Open its First Factory in Jazan

The Jazan region is known for the Saudi coffee plant. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Jazan region is known for the Saudi coffee plant. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Coffee Co. to Open its First Factory in Jazan

The Jazan region is known for the Saudi coffee plant. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Jazan region is known for the Saudi coffee plant. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The coffee market in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow by 5 percent in the coming years, providing great investment opportunities for the Saudi Coffee Company, which is owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

The company received approval to begin operations in Jazan, marking the establishment of the first production facility for the product in the Kingdom. The project falls within the efforts to empower the industry and promote the production and export of the national coffee worldwide.

Jazan is famous for its high-quality Saudi coffee plant, the cultivation of which represents an important source of income for the residents.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Executive Director of Sales and Distribution at the Saudi Coffee Co. Rakan Hariri pointed to four elements that consolidate the role of the new factory.

They include strengthening the local economy by increasing production and empowering farmers, generating job opportunities in multiple fields such as agriculture, manufacturing, marketing, and retail, promoting local culture, as coffee is part of the Saudi cultural identity, and finally, encouraging sustainable agriculture and the use of resources in a way that preserves the environment for future generations.

The company’s priority is to meet the local demand for coffee, including distribution to various regions, with a focus on the quality of the product, Hariri added.

“To ensure the success of Saudi coffee in international markets, we will adhere to the highest quality standards in the factory and achieve compliance with international health and safety standards,” he remarked.

Hariri revealed that the company plans in the future to increase local production, through model farms, cooperate with farmers, through contract farming, and follow a program to empower coffee farmers to reach the target of 5 million trees by 2030.

He explained that the company is working on gradual geographical expansion based on market studies and careful analysis of demand, stressing that efforts are underway to invest in technology to improve production processes and increase efficiency. This includes modernizing equipment, improving farming practices, and adopting advanced management systems for quality control and traceability.

In November, the Saudi Coffee Co. signed four memorandums of understanding with leading institutions and organizations from the public and private sectors at the Jazan Investment Forum as part of its efforts to achieve a qualitative shift in the coffee industry sector in the Kingdom.



High Demand, Lower Interest Rates Boost Growth in Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Transactions

Riyadh accounts for about 60% of total real estate deals (Reuters)
Riyadh accounts for about 60% of total real estate deals (Reuters)
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High Demand, Lower Interest Rates Boost Growth in Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Transactions

Riyadh accounts for about 60% of total real estate deals (Reuters)
Riyadh accounts for about 60% of total real estate deals (Reuters)

High demand for residential units in Saudi Arabia’s major cities, along with a recovery in the real estate market driven by lower interest rates, has boosted the total value of real estate transactions in the Kingdom to $50 billion (SAR 188 billion) during the first nine months of 2024. This marks a 35% increase compared to the same period last year, according to real estate experts who expect this growth to continue in the next quarter and in the coming years.

Data from the Saudi Ministry of Justice revealed that over 162,000 real estate transactions were recorded during this period, with the residential sector accounting for about 86% of the total. The commercial sector made up around 10% of the transactions. The Riyadh region led the way with approximately 60% of the total transactions, valued at $27 billion (SAR 101 billion), followed by the Makkah region with 19%, valued at $11.8 billion (SAR 44.3 billion).

Investor Confidence

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, real estate expert and appraiser Eng. Ahmed Al-Faqih highlighted that the growth in real estate transactions reflects the strong confidence of investors and stakeholders in the resilience and attractiveness of the Saudi real estate market. He noted that this was particularly evident in Riyadh, which accounted for half of the total real estate activity over the past nine months, driven by the government’s launch of several large-scale projects in the capital.

Al-Faqih added that the real estate market’s growth is aligned with the broader investment activity in the country. This growth is supported by increased regulations, governance, and transparency, which have propelled Saudi Arabia to rank 12th globally in the Real Estate Transparency Index, placing it among the top 40 international markets in terms of transparency.

A report from global real estate consultancy Knight Frank noted that the total value of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 projects launched in the past eight years has reached $1.3 trillion.

Supply and Demand

For his part, real estate expert Saqr Al-Zahrani told Asharq Al-Awsat that supply and demand are the primary drivers of the real estate market in Saudi Arabia. He anticipates that a gradual reduction in interest rates will stimulate real estate demand in the fourth quarter of 2024 by lowering financing costs, encouraging both investors and buyers to capitalize on the opportunity.

Al-Zahrani attributed the growth in real estate transactions in Riyadh to its position as a key destination for internal migration and investment opportunities, driven by infrastructure projects and a growing population, which continue to boost demand for both residential and commercial properties in Riyadh and nearby areas.

He also highlighted that regional conflicts and Saudi Arabia’s stable strategic position have increased the Kingdom’s appeal in the real estate market.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2024, Al-Zahrani expects continued growth in real estate transactions due to three key factors: the seasonal rise in demand in Makkah during Umrah and Hajj, the increase in residential and commercial projects in Riyadh alongside significant infrastructure investments, and the easing of financing restrictions with lower interest rates.

Al-Zahrani identified six factors that will drive long-term growth in Saudi Arabia’s real estate market: large infrastructure projects improving the quality of life, growing demand for housing due to population growth and internal migration, regulatory reforms facilitating property ownership and investment, increased foreign investment driven by political stability, diverse financing options such as investment funds and crowdfunding platforms, and Saudi Arabia’s stable political climate compared to neighboring countries, boosting investor confidence.