In 2024, Saudi Arabia’s poultry industry achieved remarkable output, increasing to 1.2 million tonnes, a significant step in enhancing the kingdom’s self-sufficiency in poultry meat, as reported by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Previous estimates noted production levels ranging between 900,000 and 1 million tonnes, with self-sufficiency—an essential benchmark under the Vision 2030 initiative—hovering around 72%.
The ministry highlighted not only the rise in output but also improvements in product quality and food safety standards, alongside a commitment to environmental stewardship and efficient resource utilization.
Centrally to this growth narrative is the Saudi Good Agricultural Practices (Saudi GAP) certification program, aimed at enhancing food safety and product quality, which now encompasses approximately 90% of the poultry sector.
Vision 2030: Aiming for 90% Self-Sufficiency
As part of its Vision 2030 strategy, Saudi Arabia has specified an ambitious goal of attaining 90% self-sufficiency in broiler meat, a landmark ambition for the Middle East region. While growth is predominantly spurred by significant state investments, experts warn that maintaining this rapid growth may be fraught with challenges, including high dependence on feed imports, issues related to water scarcity, and increasing production costs.
Despite state backing driving capacity expansions, long-term success will hinge on productivity enhancements and the sector’s ability to sustain competitiveness absent of substantial subsidies.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency
The ministry is actively advocating for the integration of advanced technologies across the production, processing, and marketing domains to help minimize costs and optimize operational efficiency. There’s also a focused effort to bolster the competitiveness of domestic products on the international stage, with investments in artificial intelligence to monitor flock health and improve feed conversion efficiency.
Recent accomplishments cited by the ministry include notable enhancements in feed conversion ratios and a reduction in energy consumption, both of which have fortified the Saudi poultry sector’s competitive edge over imported products.
Additionally, the ministry credited the ‘Your Local Guarantee’ campaign, designed to promote adherence to quality, food safety, and regulatory standards, as a key driver in maintaining the sector’s positive trajectory.
This initiative provides free training for farmers on best agricultural practices, offers comprehensive guidelines on quality and food safety standards, and conducts regular facility inspections to ensure compliance with Saudi GAP standards.
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