SAUDI ARABIA AGRICULTURE MARKET

Analysts at GMI Research estimates that Saudi Arabia Agriculture Market is predicted to witness a promising CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period from 2025-2032 fueled by increasing population, increasing demand for food along with supportive government policy to increase domestic production and reduce its dependence on imports with an objective to improve food security.

Major Market Drivers and Emerging Trends

Agriculture is a significant contributor to the economic development where the agricultural sector contributed around USD 31 billion to the Saudi Arabian GDP in 2024. Agricultural viability in Saudi Arabia is restricted to irrigated crops driven by its arid landscape and climate. Currently Saudi agriculture is largely oriented toward exporting dates and dairy products among others across the globe. Saudi Arabia is also committed to sustainable agriculture which aims to become an important participant in the global drive to satisfy the rising food demands worldwide.

Population growth in Saudi Arabia has made agriculture even more vital. Various policies have been launched by the government to encourage farming and provide support to agriculture in the region. For example the Grain Silos & Flour Mills Organization was created to acquire and store wheat. It was also created to build flour mills and produce animal feed. Additionally the government has introduced several initiatives to promote modern farming technologies while supporting agricultural research.

Food safety concerns particularly regarding farm products like meat and vegetables are increasing among consumers which further supports the Saudi Arabia agriculture market size. The government has implemented several regulations to ensure safety and improve crop quality thereby boosting market growth. Additionally higher consumer spending capacity is driving greater demand for premium agricultural products which further drives market growth.

The Saudi Arabia agriculture market has also experienced significant growth fueled by the advanced agricultural technologies integration. This includes innovations like Controlled Environment Agriculture or vertical farming which enhance crop production even under extreme environmental settings. These technologies enable efficient energy usage and water resources that is especially important in a region facing water scarcity.

The government has implemented several programs aimed at achieving self sufficiency in agricultural production. As the GDP in Saudi Arabia is heavily oil dependent the government is actively pursuing growth and innovation in every major sector including agriculture. The Agricultural Development Fund authorized USD 533 million to support technology procurement and farming operations along with additional investments. The sectors that saw the most significant growth were poultry alongside greenhouse farming and aquaculture.

The government in line with its Saudi Vision has also committed to allocate USD 24.5 billion to support agriculture along with environmental and water sectors. A government initiative has been introduced to boost organic farming with the goal of supporting farmers in making transition to organic practices and achieving a 300% increase in output by 2030. The government has also launched the Saudi Arabian Agricultural Bank to offer financial support to small or medium landowners along with the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program to strengthen crop production and processing.

To conserve water and boost crop yields the government is further actively encouraging farmers to implement modern irrigation methods including micro sprinklers. For example Saudi Arabia aims to boost dragon fruit cultivation given its high market value and lower water requirements compared to traditional crops. The Saudi Arabia agriculture market will benefit from these government initiatives which further supports its growth.

The efforts to increase productivity and efficiency through technological innovation have further significantly benefited the agriculture market. For example Tamimi has partnered with Mitsui & Co and Zero SRL in a joint venture to launch smart farming operations to provide fresh produce in Al Kharj and other regions in Saudi Arabia. By adopting these technologies farmers can improve earnings while strengthening the agricultural sector across Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore strategic partnerships with global agricultural companies and increased investment in farming technologies are critical elements within these initiatives. The growing focus on food security particularly aims to create a more self sufficient agricultural sector while ensuring a consistent food supply and boosting economic stability through increased revenue in the agricultural market. Foreign investment has also been instrumental in reshaping the agricultural sector in Saudi Arabia. Foreign investors have helped to develop the CEA farms which leads to an increasing food supply and improvements in food security protocols.

Based on crop type, the food crops/cereals segment leads the market with barley and wheat being the most produced and consumed grains. SAGO reports that all wheat whether imported or domestically grown is solely used for milling into products for human consumption with flatbread and hamburger buns being the main products. Even though Saudi Arabia faces arid climate, technological innovations in irrigation and lucrative government subsidies have greatly supported the cereal farming.

The government is also prioritizing research investments to increase crop productivity and secure a reliable cereal supply within the country. Dates are among the most important economic crops along with various other crops. With its ideal climate Saudi Arabia is able to produce dates in large quantities which enhances export potential and fuels market growth.

Based on geography, Al-Jouf region leads the production, followed by Riyadh, with wheat and barley being the major grains produced and consumed. Central parts are critical to the agriculture sector with a focus on cultivating wheat or dates along with other essential crops. By utilizing advanced irrigation methods and receiving government backing the region is maximizing water efficiency in challenging dry environments. The Western part is known for its floricultural and horticultural industries supported by a milder climate or access to water resources in the Red Sea. The Eastern part is a central hub for agriculture which is particularly recognized for its thriving date farming alongside aquaculture industries.

Top Market Players

Major market players are Al-Jouf Agriculture Development Co., NADEC, Tabuk Agriculture Development Co., etc. Companies are further channeling investments in research for climate resilient crops and foster sustainable agricultural techniques.

Key Developments

• • In 2024, the Natural Agriculture Development Company which is based in Saudi Arabia has signed a partnership agreement with Delphy which is a prominent agricultural provider. It is to enhance capabilities and strengthen skills while driving innovation in agricultural technologies under the Saudi Vision framework.
  • In 2023, an agricultural tech firm RedSea has partnered with Saudi Downtown Company through a signed MoU. Under the agreement RedSea will obtain investments to develop greenhouses that predominantly use hydroponic methods for crop cultivation.

Segments covered in the Report:

The Saudi Arabia Agriculture Market has been segmented on the basis of Crop Type and Geography. Based on the Crop Type, the market is segmented into Food Crops/Cereals, Fruits, Vegetables, Oilseeds and Pulses. Based on the Geography, the market is segmented into Central, Eastern, Western, Southern.

Market Segmentation

Saudi Arabia Agriculture Market by Crop Type

• • Food Crops/Cereals
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Oilseeds and Pulses

Saudi Arabia Agriculture Market by Geography

• • Central
  • Eastern
  • Western
  • Southern

Saudi Arabia Agriculture Market Leading players

• • Al-Jouf Agriculture Development Co.
  • NADEC
  • Tabuk Agriculture Development Co.