Yanbu, December 24, 2024 — In a significant move to bolster the Kingdom's grain trade and enhance food security, Abdulrahman Alfadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), officially inaugurated the Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal at Yanbu Commercial Port today. This state-of-the-art facility, operated by the National Grain Company, is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s grain supply chains and ensuring long-term price stability for essential agricultural commodities.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a host of government officials, industry leaders, and representatives from both the public and private sectors, underscoring the importance of the terminal as a key infrastructure development for the Kingdom’s agricultural and logistical sectors.
The Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal is designed to enhance the efficiency of grain trade, handling, and storage, acting as a critical link in the supply chain. With an impressive storage capacity of 156,000 tons, the terminal is equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure, including 12 silos that collectively hold 96,000 tons, and a 650-meter conveyor belt that facilitates the smooth transfer of grain. This modern facility also boasts the ability to discharge grain directly from ships at an outstanding rate of 800 tons per hour, significantly reducing turnaround time and operational costs.
The terminal's handling capacity exceeds three million tons of grain annually, positioning it as a crucial hub for both importers in the public and private sectors. By streamlining the importation process, the facility will not only support the growing demand for feed grains but will also play a key role in stabilizing grain prices across the Kingdom. This development is especially important as Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen its food security and reduce dependency on global supply fluctuations.
The National Grain Company, established in 2020 as a strategic partnership between SALIC and Bahri, aims to meet Saudi Arabia's future feed grain requirements while enhancing its competitive capabilities in the global market. The Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal is a vital component of this strategy, designed to serve as a unique global logistics hub that connects three continents — Asia, Africa, and Europe. By enhancing logistical efficiency and providing comprehensive storage and handling solutions, the terminal is set to improve the Kingdom’s position as a leading player in the global grain trade.
The opening of this facility represents a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its infrastructure and strengthen its agricultural sector. By improving the country’s ability to import, store, and distribute grain efficiently, the Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal will contribute significantly to the Kingdom's broader goals of food security, economic diversification, and sustainable growth.
Looking ahead, the Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal is poised to play a vital role in facilitating trade, reducing logistical challenges, and ensuring that Saudi Arabia remains a key player in the global agricultural market. The project aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of modernizing infrastructure and fostering economic resilience, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in agricultural investment and logistics.
