Riyadh, February 6, 2024, The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture facilitated a groundbreaking agreement today, marking a significant leap in Saudi Arabia's agricultural export endeavors. The agreement, a first-of-its-kind initiative, paves the way for the export of Saudi agricultural products utilizing advanced hydroponic farming techniques to the Netherlands and broader European markets, representing a pivotal stride towards the Kingdom's integration into the global agricultural export sector.
This landmark agreement is geared towards enhancing the marketing efficiency of Saudi agricultural products and fostering a harmonious balance between production and marketing, capitalizing on the esteemed quality of Saudi agricultural goods, in alignment with the objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.
Witnessed by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Eng. Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Ayada, Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) Director General Muneer Al-Sahli, and Saudi Exports Development Authority Director of Exporters Development Yasser Alsibali, the agreement was signed by Dava Agricultural and Dutch farming and trading entity Lehmann and Troost. This collaboration will facilitate the exportation of Saudi vegetables to the Netherlands and the European Union (EU), opening up new avenues for trade and economic growth.
This initiative underscores the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture's strategic vision to bolster the global standing of the Kingdom's agricultural sector. It also reflects the steadfast support provided by the Agricultural Development Fund in expanding greenhouse infrastructure to foster sustainable agricultural production, generate employment opportunities, bolster food security, and advance self-sufficiency in various agricultural commodities.
Saudi Arabia boasts a robust agricultural output, including over 600,000 tons of potatoes with a self-sufficiency rate exceeding 80%, more than 650,000 tons of tomatoes with a self-sufficiency rate surpassing 67%, in addition to substantial quantities of onions and dates. This surge in agricultural production, totaling over 11 million tons, has significantly diversified product chains across domestic markets, reinforcing the Kingdom's agricultural resilience and prominence.
