June 4, 2013

Saudi Arabia acquires 525,000 tonnes of wheat

For delivery between September and October, Saudi Arabia bought 410,000 tonnes of hard wheat (12.5% protein minimum) and 115,000 tonnes of soft wheat (11% protein minimum) from Toepfer.

The wheat is of optional origin from the EU, Australia and North and South America, and the shipment will be sent to the kingdom's ports in Jeddah and Dammam in nine consignments, Waleed Elkhereiji, director general of GSFMO, said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia has become a major importer of both hard and soft wheat since abandoning plans for self-sufficiency in wheat in 2008 as farming in the desert used a lot of precious water.

The country aims steadily to reduce agriculture and plans to be completely reliant on imports by 2016 to save water.