Saudi Arabia Adopts Measures to Strengthen Food Security

Image used for illustrative purpose. A farmer displays wheat grains at a field in the Beheira Governorate, Egypt May 3, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Image used for illustrative purpose. A farmer displays wheat grains at a field in the Beheira Governorate, Egypt May 3, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
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Saudi Arabia Adopts Measures to Strengthen Food Security

Image used for illustrative purpose. A farmer displays wheat grains at a field in the Beheira Governorate, Egypt May 3, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Image used for illustrative purpose. A farmer displays wheat grains at a field in the Beheira Governorate, Egypt May 3, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

The Saudi Agriculture Development Fund has approved several loans, worth over SR861 million ($229 million), to finance working capital for the import of agricultural products, within endeavors to strengthen food security in the Kingdom.

The Fund’s Vice Chairman and General Manager, Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, stated that the approval of the loans came by government directives to keep pace with current international developments, to ensure an abundance of stock and stability of supplies, and to avoid any disruption in supply chains.

The targeted agriculture crops include barley, maize and soybeans, he noted.

Saudi Arabia recently launched the Middle East Poultry Exhibition, under the slogan “Contributing to Strengthening Food Security” at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, with the participation of 150 companies from 30 countries in various sectors of the poultry industry.

Saudi Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti, said the government was keen on increasing investment in poultry production as part of a strategic plan to enhance food security and raise the proportion of local production of white meat.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Grains Organization announced the activation of the appointment-booking service through Mahsuli (My Crop) platform for the distribution of local wheat for the 2022 agricultural season.

Eng. Ahmed Al-Faris, the governor of the organization, stated that farmers can start the usual regular procedures through the platform to determine the location of the supply, book appointments, and inquire about the details of the received shipments.



Gold Slips More Than 1% as China Considers US Tariff Exemption

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
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Gold Slips More Than 1% as China Considers US Tariff Exemption

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo

Gold prices lost more than 1% on Friday and were heading for a weekly fall on signals of a potential de-escalation in the US-China trade war, including news that China was weighing tariff exemptions for some US goods.

Spot gold fell 1.5% to $3,299.69 an ounce as of 0830 GMT. US gold futures shed 1.1% to $3,310.20.

"Gold is facing challenges in sustaining upward momentum as optimism around a potential US-China trade agreement grows," said Zain Vawda, an analyst at MarketPulse by OANDA.

The dollar jumped reversing losses from the prior day while European shares rose after a media report that China was weighing tariff exemptions for some US goods, stoking hopes for a de-escalation in a spiraling trade war between the world's two largest economies.

A higher dollar makes the bullion more expensive for overseas buyers.

"A US-China trade agreement could push gold down toward $3,000/oz or lower, depending on other influencing factors," Vawda said.

US President Donald Trump asserted that trade talks with China are underway, pushing back against Chinese claims that no discussions have taken place to ease the ongoing trade war.

Gold, traditionally seen as a hedge against geopolitical and economic uncertainties has gained nearly 26% so far this year. It also touched a record high of $3,500.05 on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Federal Reserve officials indicated they saw no urgency in revising the monetary policy as they sought more information to determine how the Trump administration's tariffs were affecting the economy.

Non-yielding bullion tends to thrive in a low interest rate environment.

"Now that the market's corrected it will be a good indicator if buying picks up in India," said Ross Norman, an independent analyst.

Spot silver fell 0.6% to $33.36 an ounce, platinum dropped 1.2% at $958.89 and palladium fell 1.6% to $938.78.

Silver was headed for a weekly gain while the other two metals were seen falling for the week.