December 22, 2009

 

Saudi Arabia plans to import two million tonnes of wheat

There are plans for Saudi Arabia to import two million tonnes of wheat in 2010, a similar amount to the projected amount in 2009.

 

This was announced by a top official at the Grains Silos and Flour Mills Organisation (GSFMO) on Monday (Dec 21).

 

"Imports will more or less be the same number in 2010. It depends on the domestic production," Waleed Elkhereiji, the director general of the GSFMO said. Domestic production is expected to tick up a bit in 2010, he added.

 

Saudi Arabia has only recently started importing wheat because it is phasing out wheat production in an effort to conserve water. The oil-rich desert kingdom plans to import all of its domestic demand, around three milliontonnes of wheat a year by 2016.