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Arla Foods Expands Business in Saudi Arabia

Arla Foods Expands Business in Saudi Arabia
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Arla Foods Expands Business in Saudi Arabia

Arla Foods Expands Business in Saudi Arabia

Arla Foods, the leading global dairy company, has announced that within the last five years, it has invested a total of SAR127 million in the Saudi dairy business, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the growth of the industry in the Kingdom, and supporting Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy.

Arla Foods is investing over SAR64 million in its brand-new production lines which have been operational in Saudi Arabia since September 2021.

These lines will be producing Starbucks ready to drink products and Puck sauces, soups and cooking cream.

The production volume in Saudi is projected to increase by 10% in 2022 compared to 2021.

With these additional production lines, Arla Foods, which is responsible for brands such as, Puck, Lurpak, The Three Cows, Starbucks ready to drink, and Kraft in Saudi Arabia, is set to further increase the diversity of the products it has been exporting to the region.

The company’s efforts have created several new jobs in the Kingdom over the past year, and the company plans to continue offering new employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, especially among senior level jobs.

It has been successful to achieve the Kingdom’s Saudization targets through a substantial increase in the number of local hires. With the new production lines, Arla Foods is introducing a fully Saudi Female operated line.

The Saudi dairy market valued at $5.72 billion in 2020, is estimated to amount to $7.94 billion by the end of 2026, growing with a CAGR of 5.66%, according to TechSci Research report.

“Saudi Arabia is one of the leading markets for dairy products in the region and has become a focal point for our production expansion goals. Serving as a gateway for us to tap into the country and neighboring markets, Arla Foods is aligning its operations with the Kingdom’s long-term goals for the sector to support the Saudi economy and seize the opportunities presented by the ever-growing market,” said Henrik Lilballe Hansen, Vice President, Managing Director of Arla Foods, KSA.

Located in Riyadh, Arla has upgraded its production site, fully renovating them to accommodate the new production lines and transforming seven out of 13 warehouse depots so far.

“Our long-term plan is to continue to scale up our business in Saudi Arabia. This further supports the Saudi Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy, focus on local agriculture and food security, while maintaining the high standards and growing demands of the expanding marketplace,” Hansen added.

“The Ministry of investment is always committed to extend its support to domestic and foreign investors to establish and expand their investments in the Kingdom,” said Adnan al-Sharqi, Deputy of Integrated Investors Services of Ministry of Investment.

“We expand our comprehensive and dynamic network of investors and match them with the best selection of investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia for various sectors.”

The Ministry is ready to provide support whenever needed and act as an advocate for companies to facilitate their investment journey, he affirmed.

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A view of smelted gold bars at a smelting facility in Accra, Ghana, August 22, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/
A view of smelted gold bars at a smelting facility in Accra, Ghana, August 22, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/

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Spot gold rose 0.6% to $4,339.46 per ounce by 1105 GMT. It was down nearly 3% for the week so far.

Prices fell on Thursday after the US Producer Price Index data showed prices increased in line with expectations in August amid a rebound in the cost of energy products.

US gold futures dropped 0.6% to $4,381.30.

The precious metal is benefiting from "softer oil prices on hopes a Monday meeting between GCC ministers and Iran can yield some results regarding the passage of oil through the Strait," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. "In addition, buyers once again emerged ahead of a key support area around $4,300," said Hansen.

Oil prices were set to end the week above $100 a barrel.

Higher oil prices stoke inflation fears and bolster expectations of the Fed raising interest rates. While gold is typically seen as an inflation hedge, higher interest rates diminish the appeal of non-yielding bullion.

Traders are now pricing in a 67% chance of a rate hike at the central bank's policy meeting next week, up from 62% before the data, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. The US consumer price inflation report is due at 1230 GMT.

Elsewhere, gold demand in India was subdued this week as volatile prices discouraged buyers, while investment demand remained strong in top consumer China.

Among other metals, spot silver rose 0.4% to $63.80 per ounce, but was down 3% for the week.

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French Minister for Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure gestures as he speaks during a press conference to update the governments growth and fiscal deficit forecasts for the 2027 budget, at the Bercy Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris, France, September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
French Minister for Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure gestures as he speaks during a press conference to update the governments growth and fiscal deficit forecasts for the 2027 budget, at the Bercy Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris, France, September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
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France Lowers Growth Forecast, Will Miss Deficit Target

French Minister for Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure gestures as he speaks during a press conference to update the governments growth and fiscal deficit forecasts for the 2027 budget, at the Bercy Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris, France, September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
French Minister for Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure gestures as he speaks during a press conference to update the governments growth and fiscal deficit forecasts for the 2027 budget, at the Bercy Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris, France, September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

France's economy will grow less than expected this year and the government will miss its budget deficit target, Finance Minister Roland Lescure said on Friday.

The downgraded outlook complicates the government's task of getting its 2027 budget passed in the coming months in a deeply divided parliament, where parties have hardened their positions before an April-May two-round presidential election.

Lescure told journalists he was lowering the government's 2026 economic growth forecast to 0.5% from 0.7% previously, but stuck with a ⁠projection of 1.0% ⁠for next year.

"This year has been marked by extreme crises involving four different types of shocks," Lescure told reporters, according to Reuters.

Slower growth will make it more difficult for the government to trim its fiscal budget deficit as planned to 5.0% of economic output this year.

"The ⁠reality is that the budget was built on a 5% assumption. And the reality is that, today, 5% is no longer an option," Lescure said.

The minister did not give a new deficit target.

The economic fallout from the war in the Middle East and summer heatwaves and drought that hit agriculture output have dragged down growth and put the government's fiscal targets out of reach.

"I think it is reasonable to say that economic ⁠uncertainty has ⁠never been greater than it is today," Lescure said. "We are operating under tight budgetary constraints; there is no more fat to trim."

Further complicating the picture, French borrowing rates have surged in recent weeks as investors have identified France as one of the weaker links in a global bond selloff due to its weak public finances and serial slippage on its deficit-reduction plans.

Lescure stressed that France had no difficulties in issuing debt, but acknowledged that it now cost more.

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The logo of the European Central Bank (ECB) is pictured outside its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, April 26, 2018. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo
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ECB Policymakers Open Door to More Rate Hikes on Energy Risk

The logo of the European Central Bank (ECB) is pictured outside its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, April 26, 2018. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo
The logo of the European Central Bank (ECB) is pictured outside its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, April 26, 2018. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo

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The central ⁠bankers of Germany and Estonia acknowledged this prospect on Friday although they both stressed any move would depend on how oil and gas prices develop.

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