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Saudi Arabia Achieves Surplus in Self-Sufficiency for Top 3 Food Items

Dates recorded the highest rate of self-sufficiency in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Dates recorded the highest rate of self-sufficiency in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Achieves Surplus in Self-Sufficiency for Top 3 Food Items

Dates recorded the highest rate of self-sufficiency in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Dates recorded the highest rate of self-sufficiency in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

The Kingdom has recorded surpluses in its top three food products during the past year as a result of the intensive efforts undertaken by the government to achieve self-sufficiency in food commodities.

Dates lead the way with a remarkable 124% increase, followed by dairy products at 118%, and table eggs at 117%.

At the beginning of 2023, Saudi Arabia decided to transform the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) into the General Food Security Authority (GFSA), a move aimed at improving performance indicators and achieving national objectives in the development and growth of the sector.

This underscores the Kingdom’s determination to attain self-sufficiency in all food items and products.

According to the agricultural statistics report issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) on Thursday, the self-sufficiency rate for potato crops in the past year reached 80%, while poultry meat stood at 68%, and tomatoes at 67%.

Red meat followed at 60%, carrots at 50%, fish at 48%, and onions at 44%.

Citrus fruits, on the other hand, ranked at the lowest end of the spectrum, with a self-sufficiency rate of 15%.

Ibrahim Al-Turki, the head of the National Agriculture Committee at the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, stated that the two wings of the Kingdom’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030, are working in harmony: one in the public sector, and the other in the private sector.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Turki pointed out that the efforts of relevant agencies to facilitate local companies and farmers have borne fruit in achieving the targeted food security goals in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Turki emphasized the importance of food security, especially in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affirming that the high level of self-sufficiency in strategic food commodities such as dairy, eggs, dates, and potatoes has also positively influenced prices, making them competitive and accessible to all.

The chairman of the agriculture committee further explained that the surplus in certain products has a positive impact on the local market and consumers.

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Egypt Makes Progress in its Nuclear Energy Project

Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
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Egypt Makes Progress in its Nuclear Energy Project

Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)

Egypt has reported significant progress in the construction of the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant in the country’s northwest, a project being developed in cooperation with Russia. The government announced on Tuesday that more than 20% of the project has been completed.

Egypt and Russia signed a cooperation agreement on November 19, 2015, to establish the nuclear power station at a cost of $25 billion, funded through a Russian government loan. The final agreements for El-Dabaa were signed in December 2017.

The plant will consist of four nuclear reactors with a total generation capacity of 4,800 megawatts, each producing 1,200 megawatts. The first reactor is scheduled to begin operations in 2028, with the remaining units coming online gradually as part of Egypt’s energy mix.

In its quarterly performance report, the Egyptian government stated that the project aligns with efforts to expand the peaceful use of nuclear energy within the national power grid.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized in November the importance of executing energy projects efficiently and on schedule, calling them a pillar of Egypt’s development strategy. He underscored the need to adhere to the project timeline while ensuring the highest standards of execution and workforce training.

Also in November, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to the project, stating that El-Dabaa would enhance renewable energy capacity and stabilize the national power grid.

In early March, Russia’s Atomstroyexport announced that construction on the second reactor at El-Dabaa had progressed ahead of schedule. According to the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority, the second tier of the inner containment structure had been installed at the reactor building.

Egypt experienced widespread power outages last summer, which ended in late July after securing sufficient fuel supplies for its power plants.

The El-Dabaa project is part of Egypt’s strategy to diversify its energy sources, generate electricity to meet domestic demand, and reduce reliance on imported gas and other fuels.

On Tuesday, the government also announced an additional 200 megawatts of private-sector solar power capacity as part of its efforts to expand renewable energy. Officials said the move would support energy diversification and advance the country’s sustainable development strategy.