Reference Date: 17-May-2013
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FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
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Further reduction in wheat production is forecast in line with Government’s policy
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Cereal imports forecast at high levels in 2012/13
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Wheat production gradually phasing out
Production of the 2013 wheat crop, currently harvested, is estimated at 700 000 tonnes, some 10 percent lower than in 2012, following the adoption of the 2008 decree that aims at phasing out domestic wheat production by 12.5 percent annually and terminating wheat production by 2016. The government intends to maintain the guaranteed purchase price for locally grown wheat at USD 267 per tonne until 2016.
Saudi Arabia plans to raise the storage capacity of its grain silos from the current 2.52 million tonnes of wheat (an equivalent of ten months of consumption although a six months equivalent is actually maintained) by some 30 percent over the next three years. The government plans to increase the country's strategic capacity and reserve of wheat to cover a consumption level of one year.
In light of decreasing domestic production, strong domestic demand and environmental concerns, Saudi Arabia is encouraging agricultural investments abroad and re-exporting products to Saudi Arabia. This initiative targets wheat, rice, barley, yellow corn and green forage.
Control operations are underway for locust in the northwest near Tabuk.
Cereal imports to remain high in 2012/13
Cereal import requirements in 2012/13 (July/June) are forecast at 13 million tonnes, about 10 percent less than the previous year, but well above average. Similarly, wheat imports would also remain high at 2.2 million tonnes to maintain current milling demand levels and to expand the use of feed quality wheat as a substitute for barley and yellow maize in animal rations.
Imports of barley and maize, mainly used for feed, are forecast at 7.5 million tonnes and 2.1 million tonnes, respectively. Import requirements of rice, a basic staple food which is totally imported, are forecast at an above average level of about 1.3 million tonnes.
Subsidies maintain stable food prices
Owing to the Government’s maintenance of price subsidies on a range of basic goods, such as food and electricity, the overall inflation rate remains relatively modest at a level of about 3.9 percent in March 2013 (base year of 2007). Food and beverages prices in the first quarter of 2013 increased by 0.8 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2012, and by 3.9 percent compared to the corresponding quarter of 2012.