Saudi Arabia Stresses Food, Water Supplies Unaffected by Virus

Fish on display at a market in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Fish on display at a market in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Food, Water Supplies Unaffected by Virus

Fish on display at a market in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Fish on display at a market in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia stressed that the pumping water, as well as agricultural activity and supply chains, are operating regularly and are unaffected by the coronavirus outbreak. It added that operations on food security projects were working at the highest levels amid the global pandemic.

According to the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman al-Fadhli, the ministry’s various sectors are working smoothly and in continuous coordination to secure food and water supplies.

While inspecting food security projects in Riyadh, Fadhli said water pumping is operating smoothly throughout the Kingdom, with 9.7 million cubic meters being provided daily. Operations at desalination plants are moving smoothly.

On the agriculture sector, Fadhli said that the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) is capable, when needed, to produce about 270,000 flour bags, weighing 45 kilograms each, per day.

A statement by the ministry, a copy of which was obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, revealed that the Kingdom’s storage capacity of wheat stands at about 3.3 million tons, with production at 15,100 tons per day.

On fresh food, the ministry said the country can produce over 180,000 tons of various vegetables per month.

There are no shortages in the market, it stressed. Poultry production is at 3.5 billion chickens and 15 million eggs per day. Milk production exceeds 7.5 million liters and seafood 437 tons per day.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.