New Projects Aim to Achieve Food Security in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Tanmiah Food Co. announced a plan to invest SAR 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) by 2030 to cover 80% of poultry needs locally by 2025. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia’s Tanmiah Food Co. announced a plan to invest SAR 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) by 2030 to cover 80% of poultry needs locally by 2025. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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New Projects Aim to Achieve Food Security in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Tanmiah Food Co. announced a plan to invest SAR 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) by 2030 to cover 80% of poultry needs locally by 2025. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia’s Tanmiah Food Co. announced a plan to invest SAR 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) by 2030 to cover 80% of poultry needs locally by 2025. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Tanmiah Food Co. announced on Thursday a plan to invest SAR 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) by 2030 to cover 80% of poultry needs locally by 2025 and achieve food security and sustainability in the Kingdom.

During a ceremony held in Riyadh, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli oversaw the launch of new projects aimed at achieving self-sufficiency.

Tanmiah Food Co. signed four agreements with the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), Saudi Investment Recycling Co. (SIRC), and the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, in addition to a strategic partnership for food development with the EU's largest poultry producer MHP.

These agreements aim to cover the Kingdom's needs and achieve self-sufficiency in poultry production, in addition to increasing green areas and reducing pollution.

Moreover, the agreements contribute to strengthening the role of the private sector as a key partner in achieving the goals of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030.

Tanmiah also announced the launch of a community partnership initiative with small investors in the poultry industry to produce 1.2 million chickens per day, as well as the adoption of a new healthy production line called “Tanmiah Life”, for healthy poultry products supported with Omega 3.

Tanmiah is one of the national companies operating in the sector of fresh and frozen poultry, processed meat products and animal feed.

Besides being a public company listed on the Saudi Tadawul, Tanmiah is the leading provider of poultry and other meat products in the Middle East and North Africa region. It has been able to obtain the approved global standard for food safety from the British Retail Consortium.



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.