Fahad Alfayez Interview

Tell us about the role played by the poultry sector in your country

Saudi Arabia is the largest producer of poultry meat in the Middle East, accounting for around 71% of the region’s poultry production. The market value is projected to reach just over $5 Billion in 2024.

• By the end of 2029, the plan is to become 100% self-sufficient. Saudi Arabia is more than 100% self-sufficient in eggs, with the surplus being exported to other GCC countries and beyond.

How big was the poultry sector’s participation in Saudi Agriculture 2024?

Poultry meat, hen houses, hatcheries, slaughterhouses and equipment suppliers as well as feeds companies played a major role in the exhibition due to the size of the sector in Saudi Arabia.

• The sector takes 22% of the total space at Saudi Agriculture.

What challenges is the SAUDI poultry industry currently facing?

High temperatures, water scarcity, cheap imports and outdated production methods alongside the threat of imported avian diseases are a challenge to the sector.

• With the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s plans to transform the sector through technological and human capacity building as well as strict disease control measures, the future of the sector is bright.

What initiatives or programs is the Riyadh Exhibitions Company Ltd promoting to foster research and development in the field of poultry farming?

REC is providing a central platform for the industry to come together to share knowledge and research to discuss the development of the sector.

• Riyadh Exhibitions Company works closely with academic researchers from universities and governmental organizations including King Saud University, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security, the Seed Centre and Plant Resources Bank and National Centre for Meteorology.

Where is poultry farming going in Saudi Arabia?

The sector’s goal is total self-sufficiency in poultry meat production by 2029. Measures such as the IPO by the Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment (ARASCO) to expand the sector and the Saudi Agricultural Development Fund offering financial support up to 70% for projects that employ modern technology are accelerating the expansion of the sector.

Do you expect more Latin American countries to participate in future editions of the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition?

• We are actively seeking interest from potential exhibitors in Latin America.
• We are already talking to agents in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia to assess the potential of brining companies from Latin America to Saudi Arabia with poultry sector innovations and technologies.

Finally, what considerations can you tell us about on the future editions of the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition?

Saudi Agriculture will continue to engage with our international and local exhibitors and partners. We will expand our global reach to provide visitors with the latest innovations and technologies from around the world.

• We will also expand our knowledge platform to increase knowledge transfer to industry through engaging with world leading experts and academics in the sector.

PDF