The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed global energy and food security to the brink. Saudi Arabia responded by positioning itself as a stabilizing force, turning its western coastline into a lifeline that not only protected its domestic market but also helped offset shortages in neighboring countries.
A proactive strategy that raised self-sufficiency in key food products above 100% helped the Kingdom mitigate the fallout from the geopolitical crisis. Backed by efficient logistics and strong local content, Saudi food security has evolved beyond a statistical benchmark into a pillar capable of absorbing global shocks and keeping goods flowing smoothly amid turbulence.
Official data underlines that shift. The General Authority for Statistics’ 2024 food security report showed record increases in self-sufficiency across several plant and animal products compared with 2023, with some exceeding 100%.
The gains were driven by sustained investment in agriculture, stronger domestic supply chains and diversified import sources. Together, they shielded the local market from sharp disruptions, helping stabilize prices and maintain supply, reinforcing food security as a core pillar in managing global crises.
Ports have been central to that effort. Shura Council member Fadel bin Saad Al-Buainain said Saudi Arabia’s strategic location on the Red Sea and the Gulf provides multiple high-efficiency ports supported by integrated logistics that sustain flows of goods and cargo.
He said the Kingdom faced no difficulty meeting demand or exporting goods after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, successfully using Red Sea ports as an alternative route. That ensured uninterrupted flows, avoided shortages or price spikes, and strengthened confidence in government measures to contain the impact of geopolitical tensions.
Saudi efforts extended beyond its borders. Al-Buainain said the Kingdom helped compensate for shortages in Gulf states whose imports were disrupted, using Red Sea ports, expanding storage capacity, activating fast-track transit agreements and linking Gulf ports to move goods, alongside overland transport.
“These are tremendous efforts that went beyond the Kingdom’s borders to reach all Gulf states, reinforcing cooperation and integration and underscoring the importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Strengthening local content has been key. Al-Buainain said the Kingdom achieved significant self-sufficiency, particularly in agriculture, alongside other goods including oil-sector industrial parts, whose local availability helped facilities recover quickly after what he described as Iranian attacks.
Sustained local supply has been central to curbing inflation and stabilizing prices, while strategic reserves of essential goods have served as an effective buffer, enabling the state to absorb shocks and meet market demand without disruption, he stressed.
The availability of imports does not guarantee price stability, as rising costs, particularly in air freight, have driven price increases in markets rather than shortages, he added.
Strategic reserves also help regulate prices, Al-Buainain said, noting the role of the Ministry of Commerce in pricing stockpiles at reasonable levels and preventing exploitation during crises.
Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics system has leveraged its strategic location to generate economic returns while strengthening national security in its broader sense, including food, medical and commodity security, whether sourced locally or imported through western ports.
Osama bin Ghanem Al-Obaidy, an adviser and professor of commercial law, said the Kingdom’s push to develop agriculture and livestock sectors had driven self-sufficiency rates above 100% in several products, reflecting the strength of local production and its ability to meet both domestic and external demand.
Those efforts helped maintain supply and stabilize prices during the Hormuz crisis, which disrupted shipments and drove up shipping and insurance costs, contributing to a sharp rise in global food prices, particularly wheat and rice, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Al-Obaidi said the crisis strained global supply chains, causing bottlenecks in goods and vital fertilizers as shipping through the strait declined. Saudi western ports, led by Jeddah Islamic Port and Yanbu, have become key logistics hubs, securing domestic supply while serving as vital arteries for neighboring countries.
Data from the statistics authority showed shrimp self-sufficiency at 149%, dairy products at 131% and table eggs at 103%.
Vegetable self-sufficiency also reached high levels, with eggplant at 105%, okra at 102%, cucumbers at 101% and zucchini at 100%. Dates recorded the highest rate among fruits at 121%, followed by figs at 99%.
In livestock, data from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture showed the Kingdom met 61% of its red meat needs locally, with production exceeding 270,000 metric tons. That stability boosted market resilience and its ability to meet rising demand, especially during peak seasons.
In poultry, a key component of the Ramadan food basket, self-sufficiency reached 72%, with production surpassing 1 million metric tons. The surplus not only met local demand but also supported exports, alongside tighter oversight to ensure market stability and protect supply chains from external shocks.
The result has reinforced Saudi Arabia’s position as a global contributor to sustainable food security, backed by an outward investment strategy that includes stakes in major producers such as Brazil’s BRF and Ukraine’s MHP, helping secure supplies at source.
