Saudi Arabia’s food and agricultural imports are expected togrow by 25 per cent in 2009, according to Business Intelligence Middle East. In 2008, some SR56.4bn (€10.5bn) was spent on agricultural imports.
The country currently stands as the GCC’s largestagricultural importer, with food and agricultural products accounting foraround 13 per cent of total imports.
Khalid Daou, project manager of trade show Saudi Agro-Food2009, which is due to take place this November, commented: “Saudi Arabia’sfood demand is witnessing a substantial and rapid surge, as the Kingdom holdsone of the world’s fastest population growth rates. In line with that, Saudiconsumers have become highly demanding in terms of quality, nutritional value,price, and packaging.”
