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Saudi Arabia Has Potential to Lead Global Coffee Industry Trade

The International Forum for the Sustainability of Saudi Coffee concluded on Sunday in Jazan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The International Forum for the Sustainability of Saudi Coffee concluded on Sunday in Jazan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
    Jazan - Mohammed Hamidi
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Saudi Arabia Has Potential to Lead Global Coffee Industry Trade

The International Forum for the Sustainability of Saudi Coffee concluded on Sunday in Jazan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The International Forum for the Sustainability of Saudi Coffee concluded on Sunday in Jazan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The International Forum for the Sustainability of Saudi Coffee highlighted the Kingdom’s potentials to be a global hub for the trade and manufacture of coffee.

The forum, which concluded on Sunday, was organized by the Ministry of Culture in the southern city of Jazan with the participation of local and international experts to mark International Coffee Day.

A set of recommendations were issued at the end of the event, including the importance of Saudi Arabia joining the International Coffee Organization to promote the exchange of experiences, enhance the presence of the local product internationally, and cooperate in the field of research, innovation and development of national capabilities.

The forum stressed the need to help farmers improve production and boost the sector’s sustainability, and to support the innovation and entrepreneurship industry that would contribute to addressing challenges related to strengthening the Saudi coffee value chain.

The participants recommended organizing an annual international forum for Saudi coffee to discuss the achievements, challenges and aspirations, in partnership with the local community, and to study the launch of cultural indicators in cooperation with stakeholders, with the aim to monitor support for the coffee industry.

The second day of the forum concluded with two dialogue sessions that focused on the participation of government and research agencies in the field of coffee industry, in addition to examining the field from a medical angle, and its benefits on the health of the individual and society.

At the beginning of the first session, Dr. Al-Habib Khemira, researcher at the Center for Environmental Research and Studies at Jazan University, reviewed the main Saudi coffee varieties and their cultivation through different stages.

Eng. Bandar Al-Fifi, Director of the National Coffee Component at FAO, stated that coffee was the most consumed beverage around the world. He noted that the average daily demand for coffee consumption was increasing annually, which requires raising the production to meet the high demand.

He also emphasized the importance of teaching the next generation about farming to secure growth for the industry.

Radi Al-Faridi, deputy director general of the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture, discussed the importance of cooperation of all authorities in agricultural integration.

“The definition of agricultural sustainability encompasses all environmental, social and economic aspects,” Al- Faridi said.

“Currently coffee is considered the second-largest traded commodity in the world after oil, with the global coffee market value reaching $102 billion in 2020. It is expected that the market will continue to grow to reach a rate of 4.28 percent during the period 2022-2026,” he said.

Moreover, he remarked that as the expansion in the coffee market increases so will the pressure on coffee supply chains.

The last session of the forum concluded with a working paper by researcher Ghadeer Fallata, from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

She pointed that around 43 percent of Saudi adults consume caffeine at a rate of less than 300 mg per day, highlighting an increasing growth of commercial activities related to coffee shops.

“There has been steady growth of commercial activities related to cafes, as the Kingdom ranked 11th globally in 2019 in importing tea products, 13th in importing coffee products, and 14th in importing chocolate,” she added.

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Business

Saudi Arabia and Serbia Expand Partnership in Energy, Technology and Trade

Serbian Foreign Minister and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister sign an agreement waiving visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports. (X)
Serbian Foreign Minister and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister sign an agreement waiving visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports. (X)
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Saudi Arabia and Serbia Expand Partnership in Energy, Technology and Trade

Serbian Foreign Minister and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister sign an agreement waiving visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports. (X)
Serbian Foreign Minister and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister sign an agreement waiving visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports. (X)

Saudi-Serbian relations are moving toward a new phase of economic and diplomatic cooperation, as Riyadh and Belgrade work to expand their partnership in the energy, technology, agriculture and food industries sectors, alongside rapid growth in trade between the two countries. This comes as the hosting of EXPO 2027 in Belgrade and EXPO 2030 in Riyadh by Serbia and Saudi Arabia, respectively, opens additional avenues for exchanging expertise and building new partnerships and projects.

A meeting held last week in Belgrade between Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A. M. Elkhereiji and Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić saw the signing of an agreement to cancel visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports, in a step expected to support official contacts and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides discussed ways to develop cooperation in the energy sector through joint projects, as well as in information and communications technology, advanced technologies, agriculture and the food industry. They also discussed strengthening the presence of Serbian companies in the Saudi market and increasing investment by Saudi partners in Serbia. Serbia is scheduled to participate in the Saudi Food exhibition in Jeddah later this month with more than 50 companies.

Three new initiatives for cooperation between the two countries were also launched during the meeting: "Digital Non-Aligned," the Film Festival of the Non-Aligned Movement, and an international seminar for young diplomats from member states of the movement. The initiatives are part of commemorations marking the 65th anniversary of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was hosted by Belgrade in 1961.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of a gathering marking the anniversary. Saudi Arabia was among the countries that participated in the founding conference and was represented at the time by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al Suwaiyel, who planted the first "tree of peace."

Bizenic: Riyadh Is an Important Economic Partner

Serbian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dragan Bizenic told Asharq Al-Awsat that last Wednesday's meeting gave the Serbian foreign minister an opportunity to once again thank the relevant Saudi institutions for their "exceptional cooperation and support" during the evacuation of Serbian citizens from Riyadh following the recent events in the Middle East.

Bizenic affirmed his country's commitment to deepening comprehensive cooperation with Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on the economic side. He said he was impressed by the results achieved by the Kingdom under Vision 2030, which he saw during his visit to Riyadh to participate in the Future Investment Initiative conference last year.

According to the Serbian foreign minister, Belgrade is interested in strengthening trade cooperation with Saudi Arabia, increasing exports of Serbian products, and benefiting from the expertise and knowledge of Saudi experts in the fields of science and technology. The two sides also discussed expanding partnership and cooperation through EXPO, in addition to increasing the volume of trade and mutual investments.

EXPO: A New Bridge for Partnership

Bizenic considers Saudi-Serbian cooperation through EXPO 2027 and EXPO 2030 to be a highly important area for deepening relations between the two countries, pointing to the meeting between Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Minister of Foreign Trade, Mrs. Jagodom Lazarevic, who is also the commissioner of the EXPO 2027 exhibition in Belgrade.

He explained that Belgrade and Riyadh hosting two world expos in the coming years, EXPO 2027 Belgrade and EXPO 2030 Riyadh, represents a unique opportunity to turn the experience, knowledge and networks the two countries will gain through these events into new forms of cooperation and concrete projects.

He revealed that Saudi Arabia has already signed a contract to participate in EXPO 2027 Belgrade and will have one of the largest national pavilions at the exhibition, in a prominent location at the entrance to the EXPO area. He said the pavilion will provide the Kingdom with an opportunity to showcase its development potential, innovations, culture and business opportunities, as well as promote EXPO 2030 Riyadh.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister during his meeting with Serbian Minister of Internal and External Trade Jagoda Lazarević (X)

Trade Surges 152%

Bizenic noted that the Serbian foreign minister affirmed during his Wednesday meeting in Belgrade with Elkhereiji that Saudi Arabia could be "one of Serbia's key economic and political partners in the Arab world," given its membership in the Group of Twenty and OPEC+, as well as its weight in global energy markets. Saudi Arabia holds about 16 percent of the world's oil reserves.

The ambassador believes that strengthening Saudi-Serbian relations, opening the way for more investments and business projects, and expanding contacts between the business communities of the two countries would bring significant benefits to Serbia and support its economic presence in the region.

As an indicator of the growing economic ties, Bizenic said trade between Serbia and Saudi Arabia has recorded significant growth in recent years, reaching $121 million at the end of 2025, nine times its 2012 level. Trade continued to grow this year, reaching $130.4 million in the first half of 2026, an increase of 152 percent compared with the same period last year.

Business

Data Centers Open New Avenue for Localizing Saudi Cooling Industry

Nabil Shahin discusses standards developed by the US-based Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). (LinkedIn) 
Nabil Shahin discusses standards developed by the US-based Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). (LinkedIn) 
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Data Centers Open New Avenue for Localizing Saudi Cooling Industry

Nabil Shahin discusses standards developed by the US-based Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). (LinkedIn) 
Nabil Shahin discusses standards developed by the US-based Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). (LinkedIn) 

From buildings and megaprojects to data centers, demand for air-conditioning and cooling solutions is expanding across Saudi Arabia, driven by rapid construction and accelerating investment in digital infrastructure.

As artificial intelligence and cloud computing enter a period of rapid expansion, data centers are emerging as a new growth driver for the cooling industry, requiring advanced levels of efficiency and reliability and equipment capable of operating under harsh climatic conditions.

The boom extends beyond Saudi Arabia. Globally, the cooling industry is expanding as temperatures rise and demand for data centers grows. The International Energy Agency estimates that global electricity demand for building cooling has risen by about 50% since 2015 to around 2,900 terawatt-hours, while worldwide air-conditioner shipments reached about 200 million units in 2024.

Cooling buildings is placing increasing pressure on power grids, particularly during heat waves, while data centers and AI are adding another layer of demand for advanced cooling technologies.

Global data-center electricity consumption stood at around 415 TWh in 2024 and is projected to reach about 945 TWh by 2030, with cooling and environmental-control systems accounting for a significant share of energy use at these facilities.

The growth comes amid mounting pressure to improve air-conditioning efficiency and reduce its environmental impact. According to the UN Environment Program, global cooling demand could more than triple from current levels by 2050 under existing policies, making equipment efficiency and less energy-intensive technologies increasingly important.

These shifts offer Saudi Arabia an opportunity to expand its domestic air-conditioning and cooling manufacturing base as the Kingdom seeks to increase local content and meet more of its market needs through domestic production.

Nabil Shahin, managing director of the Middle East and North Africa office of the US-based Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia accounts for more than half of the Gulf air-conditioning market. He attributed the market’s growth to expanding commercial and construction projects, alongside the boom in data centers.

Data Centers Reshape Cooling Market

The Kingdom is experiencing a “growth boom” in data centers, according to the AHRI executive, fueled by the rapid spread of AI and rising demand for cloud-computing services. He noted that several US and European companies are developing data-center projects in Saudi Arabia.

As their cooling requirements increase, AHRI is working with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) to develop and modify standards for data-center equipment to reflect the Kingdom’s temperatures, climatic conditions and local requirements.

Saudi Standard for Evaporative Coolers

Shahin noted that SASO had asked AHRI to develop a new standard for evaporative cooling systems, locally known as “desert coolers,” which use water in the cooling process rather than the refrigerants used in conventional air-conditioning systems.

There is currently no unified global standard for such systems, he explained. AHRI is developing the standard for submission to SASO, with the aim of providing a reference for manufacturers in the Saudi market.

The new standard will include energy-efficiency measurement criteria to assess equipment performance and suitability for local conditions.

Improving air-conditioning efficiency is particularly important in Saudi Arabia because of the sector’s high electricity consumption. More efficient systems could reduce power demand and emissions associated with electricity generation.

Saudi Arabia Leads Gulf Market

The AHRI executive estimated Saudi Arabia’s share of the Gulf air-conditioning market at more than 50%, with demand continuing to rise alongside commercial and construction projects, particularly in Riyadh, coastal areas and Makkah.

Some estimates put the Kingdom’s share at about 60%, he noted, but he prefers the more conservative figure of over 50% because no verified official data precisely establish its market share.

The scale of demand has made Saudi Arabia attractive to international companies, several of which have expanded their presence over the past two years by establishing new factories or enlarging existing facilities.

Local manufacturing can give companies an additional advantage by reducing some import costs, which can range from 5% to 12%, according to Shahin. He pointed to three large domestic factories that are expanding their operations.

From Assembly to Component Manufacturing

Localization, however, still faces the challenge of dependence on imported components. Most key air-conditioning components — including electric motors, compressors, copper and refrigerants — continue to come from abroad.

Much of Saudi Arabia’s current manufacturing activity remains focused on assembly, although some components, including heat exchangers, are produced domestically.

The next step, the AHRI official argued, is to move gradually from assembly toward manufacturing a greater proportion of air-conditioning components in the Kingdom, including electronics, circuit boards and electric motors.

He called for additional government incentives and support, including land, industrial space, free zones and investment facilities, to help Saudi factories expand and increase the share of locally manufactured components.

 

 

Business

Gold Slips on Rate-Hike Bets; Inflation Data in Focus

Gold jewelry is displayed at an exhibition in Kabul, Afghanistan, 03 September 2026. (EPA)
Gold jewelry is displayed at an exhibition in Kabul, Afghanistan, 03 September 2026. (EPA)
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Gold Slips on Rate-Hike Bets; Inflation Data in Focus

Gold jewelry is displayed at an exhibition in Kabul, Afghanistan, 03 September 2026. (EPA)
Gold jewelry is displayed at an exhibition in Kabul, Afghanistan, 03 September 2026. (EPA)

Gold slipped on Monday as strong US jobs data reinforced expectations for higher interest rates, while investors awaited key US inflation reports due later this week for further clarity on the Federal Reserve's policy path.

Spot gold was down 0.6% at $4,402.86 per ounce, as of 0420 GMT, after falling 1% on Friday.

US gold futures for December delivery were down 0.6% at $4,447.60.

Data ‌on Friday ‌showed US job growth accelerated sharply in August ‌while ⁠the unemployment rate ⁠held steady at 4.1%, suggesting an improvement in the labor market after recent struggles and keeping a rate increase this month on the table.

US producer price index (PPI) data is due on Thursday, followed by consumer price index (CPI) data on Friday.

"The jobs number delivered a clear upside surprise and put some pressure ⁠on the metal, but it wasn't a ‌complete slam dunk for a September ‌rate hike. The real missing piece of the puzzle arrives this ‌week with U.S. CPI," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst ‌at KCM Trade.

"A strong inflation print would reinforce expectations of a Fed hike, lift yields further and weigh more heavily on gold."

Traders are pricing in a 58.4% chance of a rate hike ‌at the Fed's September 15-16 meeting, CME's FedWatch tool showed.

While gold is typically viewed as ⁠an inflation ⁠hedge, higher interest rates tend to weigh on the appeal of non-yielding bullion.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that unless the Fed cuts interest rates, he would stop trading with countries with which the United States had a deficit.

On the Middle East front, Iran said it will step up efforts to tackle problems created by US sanctions that are crippling its economy, while a senior Iranian official warned of a "painful response" if it comes under further attack.

Among other metals, spot silver eased 0.6% to $65.80 per ounce, platinum lost 1.1% to $1,800.59 and palladium declined 0.5% to $1,394.00.