Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sunday, 31 October 2010 - 23 Thul-Qedah 1431 H
NATION
Kingdom keen to address food security issue: Irish official
SHAHID ALI KHAN


RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is keen to address the food security issue by investing in agricultural land in other countries, according to Danny Cunningham of Enterprise Ireland, which has a branch office in Riyadh.

Cunningham said a one-day seminar on Food Security will be organized at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Monday. Some leading Saudi businessmen, CEOs and presidents of agricultural companies and members from the Irish trade delegation will attend.

He said Batt O’Keeffe, Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, will open the seminar at the RCCI.

“O’Keeffe is leading a 71-member Irish trade delegation to Saudi Arabia from Saturday to Wednesday. About 50 Irish companies that include companies from the Irish agriculture sector will tour Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam,” Cunningham said.

Fifty innovative Irish firms joining Minister O’Keeffe on the trade mission are from sectors including construction, engineering, information technology, education, finance and consulting.

A unique aspect of the trade mission to Saudi Arabia will be the participation of representatives from each of AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank.

Saudi Arabia is a key high-growth market for Irish firms, Cunningham said.

“Despite the tough global trade climate, Irish exports to Saudi Arabia grew to over €400 million last year,” he added.

Saudi Arabia is Ireland’s largest export market in the Middle East, he said.

More than 70 Irish small businesses are doing business in Saudi Arabia and 20 have a full-time market presence in the country.

Cunningham said Saudi Arabia has been investing in agricultural land procurement in Africa, Brazil and Argentina, as part of a long-term strategy for food security.

Keynote speakers from Saudi Arabia and Ireland will explore possibilities on how to clinch deals with countries that can offer food security for the Kingdom, he said.

“Ireland has expertise in the food and agriculture sector and is ready to offer Saudi Arabia technical know-how and skills required for engaging in agricultural farming in third countries such as Sudan, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina,” he said.

Minister O’Keffe will hold meetings with Abdullah Ahmed Zeinal Ali Reza, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeah, Minister of Health, and Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education.

?Ali Reza has earlier said that Saudi Arabia will be investing in agriculture not only in South Africa but in four other African countries in order to teach effective crop growing techniques as well as to transfer valuable skills.

?”Food security is vital,” Ali Reza said. Saudi farmers have managed to establish special techniques for growing more maize per hectare, and the Kingdom has a lot to offer the world in the agricultural sector, he said.

?“We look at Africa not only as a place where products can be harvested, but we look at making Africa a partner in the fight for food security,” Ali Reza was quoted in a media report as saying.

—Saudi Gazette __

News Link: http://saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010103186494

Sunday, October 24, 2010

High barley prices hit livestock market hard, meat may cost more
By ARAB NEWS
Published: Oct 14, 2010 23:33 Updated: Oct 22, 2010 00:12


AL-HASA: A surge in the price of barley, which has more than doubled recently, has hit the Kingdom’s livestock market hard, triggering fears of an increase in the price of meat during Eid Al-Adha and Haj.

The surge has also resulted in an exchange of accusations between importers and traders of barley on the one hand and livestock farmers on the other, especially in Al-Hasa in the Eastern Province where the price of one bag of barley has soared to SR50, according to a recent report in Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper.

Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest importer of barley, which is the preferred livestock feed in the Kingdom. The increase in prices, however, has created much commotion with traders and farmers blaming importers, foreign companies and retailers.

Business is so bad that some farmers are even changing professions and selling off their animals. “This is the only option we have to avoid incurring huge losses,” said one farmer, adding that the authorities should be monitoring prices.

“This gives the opportunity to some unscrupulous foreign agents to employ unethical practices of hoarding produce to create artificial shortages to raise prices,” he said, while urging the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to take strict measures to stop this.

“The ministry should publicize the price of barley and other fodders on its website,” said another farmer.

Prices have shot up 30-50 percent, reaching more than SR50 per bag over the last few days in Al-Hasa barley market. The price of one bag of Australian barley jumped to SR50 from SR34 while European barely rose to SR47 from SR30 over the last few months.

Many traders have accused importers and wholesalers for the price rise while importers and distributors blame each other. Some importers attribute soaring prices to the surge in prices in the international market. One distributor said he buys one bag of barley for SR46 and sells it on for SR50, in line with Ministry of Commerce and Industry instructions. The ministry capped the profit margins of barley importers to five percent at the end of August.

A number of Saudi barley traders pointed out that some foreigners, who work as agents in the livestock market, are also behind the price rise. “They impose a hike of SR10 per bag when the products reach Saudi ports. They do this in conjunction with the importers,” said one trader.

Salem Al-Rashidi, a livestock trader, alleged that foreign workers are controlling the barley market in the region. “They are hoarding huge stocks of barley when the product reaches the market, and making it look as if there is a shortage to raise prices,” he said, adding that the absence of proper monitoring by the authorities makes the problem worse.

He further called on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to resolve the matter.

On their part, a number of importers attributed the soaring prices to the situation in Australia and some major barley-producing European countries such as Russia and Ukraine, which supply the Kingdom. They added that a devastating drought in Russia has prompted Moscow to put a ban on grain exports, especially barley.

A ministry official noted that traders were hoarding stocks to raise prices. Hamad Al-Holaibi, director of the ministry’s branch in Al-Hasa, blamed importers and retailers for spreading rumors about an increase in global prices to inflate prices in the local market.

News Link: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article166781.ece

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Saudis, Italians and Irish join forces to invest in food security

By WALAA HAWARI | ARAB NEWS

RIYADH: An Italian delegation of 250 businessmen representing 200 companies will visit Riyadh on Nov. 1 as part of a three-day visit to meet Saudi businessmen and investors.

An Irish business delegation, led by Minister of Trade and Commerce Batt O'Keeffe and which includes directors and chairmen from various investing companies, will also visit Riyadh during the same period.

Businessman Yousuf Al-MaymanI, who organized the visits along with the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said there will be workshops and forums in Riyadh and the Eastern Provinces.

Osama Al-Kurdi, a member of the Shoura Council and CEO of Farrelley and Mitchell Middle East, said the Irish minister of trade and commerce will launch a food forum on Nov. 1 and that Saudi investors will be given an opportunity to learn about food security.


News Link: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article164042.ece

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Saudi Arabia Nears Argentina
52 || Clarin || RURAL REVISTA || SABADO 9 de octubre de 2010
(Spanish to English translation
)


Arabia Saudita, interesada en la producción argentina
Al Rashid. rales highlight the potential
relationship between ambosbosbos countries.


Demonstrated at a seminar held in Buenos Aires.

Faculty of Economics, University of Palermo organized the Seminar "Agribusiness: business opportunities with the Middle East" by the farmer of Saudi Arabia Turki Faisal Al Rasheed and Argentine professionals in the industry. Among the public, by the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Esam Al Thagafi abid.

Turki Faisal Al Rasheed, Chairman of the Saudi agricultural company, Golden Grass Inc., began his speech highlighting the opportunities for cooperation between his country and Argentina. The employer described the difficulties of Saudi Arabia to develop agriculture: "Water scarcity is one of the major limitations of Saudi Arabia to produce food. For this reason, we seek to reduce agriculture in our country and open up opportunities for foreign investment, either by joint ventures with other countries, buying farmland or through strategic alliances. "

According to Al Rasheed, Saudi Arabia has strategic needs of raw materials consisting of 2.7 million tonnes of wheat per year, 1 million tons of rice, 6.3 million tonnes of barley and 14 million tonnes of animal feed each year. Against this background, Al

Rasheed said: "We may partner with Argentina for agricultural investment, the idea would be to shorten the bridge between the two." Al Rasheed said: "We are here to explore the possibility of investing. At this point, we are considering to twenty-two countries. " And he added: "I came here by myself, but in a few weeks, business delegations will come to Argentina to explore the real possibilities."

Daniel O. Melhem, Chairman of the Leaders of Latin America and the Gulf (GLLC) and co-founder and Managing Director of Knightsbridge Partners, agreed with Al Rasheed in the importance of water. He said that today, while China and India have only 20% of water on the planet, the Americas have 40%. And said: "For the first time, Gulf countries are thinking in Latin America, are dismissing other economic powers have become strategic investors," he said.

Gustavo Oliverio, director of the Foundation Produce and Conserve, referred to a study of the organization under which it was projected that by 2020 is expected to increase 72% of wheat production in Argentina, 98% growth for the 54% corn and soybean production in comparison with the average for the period 2007 to 2009. For his part, Ignacio Lartirigoyen, manager of the food industry, stressed the need to "increase production efficiency and diversifying agricultural production in the country."

Souce: Emailed PDF News - GGI Copy

Sunday, October 10, 2010

US agricultural delegation explores new avenues of trade in Saudi Arabia
Arab News
07 October 2010


RIYADH: A visiting trade team from the US had indicated immense interest on Wednesday to import dates and its byproducts on a large scale from the Kingdom.

"We are interested in importing dates and its byproducts from a cooperative body comprising date producers," David Callahan, vice president for business development at the US-Saudi Arabian Business Council, told Arab News Wednesday.

Callahan, who was leading a team of 11 businessmen from the US agricultural sector, was at a luncheon hosted by the council's Riyadh branch at the Equestrian Club.

US Ambassador James B. Smith, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy and leading businessmen were present at the function.

"This is going to be a new venture where we would like to market Saudi dates in the United States," Callahan said, pointing out that he was insisting on an umbrella organization since his country could get the best variety of dates that could be easily marketable. Describing it as the first ever agricultural trade delegation to the Kingdom, Callahan said that the aim was to fulfill Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's strategic agricultural initiatives focused on food safety.

"We are also looking for a long term contract with the Kingdom for the export of wheat from the US," he said, pointing out that while Saudi Arabia is reducing domestic wheat cultivation to save on water, demand is still growing.

Callahan also said that there are plenty of opportunities in the Kingdom with regard to exporting foodstuffs and agricultural products since Saudi Arabia's population has been increasing.

Al-Jeraisy, who is also director of the Saudi-US Business Council, said that the two countries have enjoyed excellent trade relations for more than 80 years.

"Such an exchange of trade delegations between the two countries will help concerned parties identify new areas of cooperation that would be of mutual interest," Al-Jeraisy said

"The interest by the United States in importing dates is being shown at a time when a group of Saudi companies in the Kingdom is planning to set up a multi-billion riyal factory to produce dates and manufacture its byproducts."

He added that juice, organic drinks, essence and syrups could be produced from dates.

He said that the final stages of the date plant were being worked out and it will soon be installed by a group of Riyadh-based companies.

Last year, US exports to the Kingdom were valued at $10.8 billion, while its imports from Saudi Arabia, mainly oil were worth around $30 billion.

The Kingdom's estimated imports of foodstuffs from the US were worth around $700 million last year.

According to official figures released by the US embassy in Riyadh, the export of foodstuffs from the US had increased by 29 percent during the first half of 2010, compared to the same period last year.

By MD RASOOLDEEN

© Arab News 2010

News Link:
Expatriates control livestock market in Eastern Province
Arab News
09 October 2010


DAMMAM: Saudi cattle traders have complained about the monopolization of the cattle market by expatriates in Dammam and Alkhobar and called on authorities to put an end to this domination.

They told Arab News that the market is almost void of Saudi youths and that foreign workers are tightening their grip.

"The Saudi youths have opted to stay out of the cattle market either because of the domination of foreigners or because it's hard to make a good profit," said one cattle trader, who did not want his name to be published.

They said expatriates have not only controlled the trade, but they also fix the prices throughout the year, especially during peak seasons.

"The majority of foreigners in the livestock market are not qualified animal traders and many of them are either without iqamas (residence permits) or not working for their original sponsors," one dealer added.

Mubarak Abdullah Al-Arji, a Saudi owner of a trading establishment specializing in livestock, said the domination of foreigners in the livestock market has been going on for a very long time and called for an immediate stop to it.

"Saudis represent about only 10 percent of the workers in the 400 stalls at the livestock market," he said.

Al-Arji said when he was trying to set up his establishment he faced many difficulties, including securing a visible space in the market. "The foreigners are controlling all the best places and are actually deciding prices," he added.

He asked passport police and the municipality to conduct continuous raids of the market to root out foreigners illegally staying in the country as well as those not working for their original sponsors.

"The foreigners are even securing contracts with a number of government departments and retailers to supply them with livestock or meat," he said.

Al-Arji said the importers' prices are far less than the tariffs set by foreigners working in the livestock market.

"The meat sector is vital and therefore authorities need to intervene to regulate it and end foreign control," he said. He added that if properly organized, this sector would provide enough working opportunities for Saudi youths.

Mukhlad Al-Mitairi, owner of a cattle stall at the livestock market, claimed foreigners are behind the hikes in animal prices during peak seasons.

He also criticized Saudis who prefer to deal with foreigners when buying livestock, as they often wrongly believe that prices asked by Saudi traders are much higher.

He called for appointing a sheikh (chief) for the market -- a practice adopted by other marketplaces, and said such a step would benefit consumers.

He expressed surprise over the absence of Saudi youths in the business and claimed they could make a good income.

Al-Mitairi said many of the expatriates working in the livestock market have made fortunes and are now running their own business. "Shortly after entering the market, many foreigners will buy a truck and start trading animals in various parts of the region," he said. He appealed to the authorities to listen to the complaints of Saudi traders.

By FAIZ AL-MAZROUIE

© Arab News 2010

News Link: http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20101007031327/US%20agricultural%20delegation%20explores%20new%20avenues%20of%20trade%20in%20Saudi%20Arabia

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Tuesday, 05 October 2010 - 26 Shawwal 1431 H
NATION
Pakistan continues to export rice to Kingdom
Shahid Ali Khan
Saudi Gazette


RIYADH: Despite the devastating floods in the country, Pakistan can continue to export rice to Saudi Arabia, said Pakistani rice exporters here Monday.

They are part of a 30-member trade delegation, comprising mostly rice exporters, who are in the country to assure the Saudi Arabian authorities that there will not be a shortage of rice this year. They were attending the 29th International Saudi Agriculture 2010 exhibition in Riyadh Monday, the biggest business-to-business agriculture and agro-food event in the Mideast.
“Last year we had a bumper crop of rice, particularly basmati rice, and we have enough stock to allow us to continue the export of rice to Saudi Arabia without any interruption,” said Amir Qayyum, one of the rice exporters participating in the exhibition.

The Pakistani rice exporters say they are in the Kingdom to ensure competitors do not exploit the situation that would lead to overpricing in the local market.

Engineer Saad Bin Ibrahim Al-Fayyad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Fisheries and Marine Aquaculture, opened the event Monday.

The event is open to businesspeople and the public between 4:30 P.M. and 10 P.M. until Oct. 7. Also running concurrently with the Saudi Agriculture 2010 exhibition, are two other events – Saudi Agro-Food 2010, the 17th International Tradeshow for Food Products, and Saudi Food-Pack 2010, the International Exhibition for Food Processing and Packaging.

Mohamad Al-Hussaini, Deputy General Manager, Riyadh Exhibitions Company, the organizer of the event, said that Saudi Arabia is the largest economy within the Gulf Cooperation Council, the world’s top food-importing region as verified by the World Trade Organization.

“With a population of roughly 28 million people, the Kingdom’s demand for food and other agriculture products is huge. The Saudi government intends to meet this demand by boosting spending on agriculture and related sectors. Saudi Agriculture 2010 offers insights on how best to maximize domestic prospects while providing a gateway to other lucrative Gulf markets,” said Al-Hussaini.

About 300 exhibitors from Saudi Arabia and 27 countries are participating in the exhibition.

– Saudi Gazette __

News Link: http://saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010100584729