Saudi Arabia, one of the main grain markets in the Middle East, is likely to maintain a stable domestic growth in 2025, supported by positive demand prospects, Anis Alam, Head of Seed Procurement Officers in Arab Agricultural Services Companies (Arasco) said in an interview with Plates January 25.
The demand for wheat and corn of the country is ready to increase by 5% per year, said Alam. “At present, Saudi Arabia imports around 3.5 million MT wheat and 5 million MT corn, which has a growth potential of 5% per year.”
Saudi imports wheat, most of the Europe and the black sea because the production of domestic wheat is lower. Alam believes it must be around 500,000-600,000 MT although some statistics show more than 1 million MT.
The country’s wheat output cannot increase in the next few years due to lack of water. “I did not see that there was room for improvement in production,” he said.
Corn, which is used as animal feed, is imported, mostly from South America-Argentina and Brazil and part of Ukraine because Saudi domestic production can be ignored 100,000-150,000 MT.
Alam stressed that in 2024, Arasco imported 1.5 million-1.6 million MT corn, and this year planned to import 1.8 million MT.
Exploring the new market for imports
Saudi Arabia is ready to explore other markets for imports of seeds that can compete with the quality of their traditional suppliers.
Nature said, “We always explore new markets for imports because we need to see many other alternatives … We have explored many things such as buying corn from India but the quality remains a concern.”
He added that South American corn came at a reasonable price that made it their first choice. However, when prices soared, this country also uses Ukraine corn.
Saudi always shows interest in trade with Ukraine. “We receive wheat and corn [shipments] From Ukraine in Jeddah and Dammam [ports]”Nature said, adding that they will continue to explore more in Ukraine.
GFSA control to make it easier anytime
The General Food Safety Authority (GFSA), a government agency responsible for food security, is expected to loosen its controls in 2025, which means that Saudi private flour factory will be responsible for imports themselves rather than buying from GFSA as they are doing now.
According to nature, it might happen in the near future. “I doubt, this year. But that might happen at any time. “
He explained that the national item company and other companies had been established to contribute to achieving a food security strategy so that the government could elevate control and give it to the private sector.
This allows factories to increase their wheat imports. However, nature did not see the export of Saudi wheat flour jumping after this. According to him, all flour produced by the factory will be used for domestic consumption.
“We cannot export wheat flour at all because Mills will grind as much as they need. I am sure it will remain like that for the next 5 years. “
Saudi became independent poultry in 2025
Saudi Arabia plans to remove poultry imports by becoming independent in domestic production in 2025, said Alam.
“This country will be independent in this year’s poultry production, hopefully. If not this year, then surely in mid 2026. “
He added, Saudi had become a self -sufficiency in eggs for more than 10 years now. “This country exports to the nearest countries such as Yemen, Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait etc.,” Alam said.
This nation also produces all types of feed such as fish feed and exporting some fish feed as well, he said.
Source: Platts
