Dairy Firms Consider Merging in Saudi Arabia

Dairy Firms Consider Merging in Saudi Arabia
TT

Dairy Firms Consider Merging in Saudi Arabia

Dairy Firms Consider Merging in Saudi Arabia

A number of small and medium dairy product companies in Saudi Arabia are considering merging.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the small and medium dairy firms in the Kingdom have an opportunity to merge -- this step is expected to achieve an increase in the companies’ capacity in production and outreach to customers, instead of only selling raw products to giant companies.

Furthermore, the decision to halt the production of green fodder locally would likely push towards merger among the small and medium dairy firms, especially since some of these small companies will not be able to directly import fodder, which requires direct financial and managerial capabilities.

Mergers might help prolong the longevity of firms in a way that allows them to regain part of their capital put into the industry. Studies revealed recently that small dairy companies will definitely merge with giant companies.

These developments at a time Saudi Arabia announced an implementation mechanism of the regulations regarding halting green fodder production.

During a news conference in Riyadh, the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture said that the farmers in the country will be compelled in the future to issue an agricultural record by which the kind of activity, the cultivated space and the farm coordinates are determined.

In a related matter, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Ahmed al-Ayada revealed that the ministry’s approach stems from its keenness to maintain resources of underground waters.



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
TT

Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.