Saudi Arabia Surpasses Full Domestic Food Self-Sufficiency for Key Products in 2024
Official statistics show the kingdom exceeded 100 per cent self-sufficiency in a range of agricultural and animal products amid broader food security efforts
Saudi Arabia has achieved full or greater than full self-sufficiency in several major food categories in 2024, government statistics show, underscoring significant progress in the kingdom’s long-running drive to boost domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports.
The latest Food Security Statistics published by the General Authority for Statistics indicate that production of shrimp, dairy and table eggs all exceeded the level required to meet domestic demand, with particularly large surpluses recorded for some categories.
According to the official data, the self-sufficiency rate for shrimp reached 149 per cent, dairy products 131 per cent and table eggs 103 per cent in 2024, marking improvements on already high levels from previous years and reflecting sustained growth in local aquaculture, livestock and farm output.
Among plant-based products, self-sufficiency also topped 100 per cent for several vegetables, with eggplant at 105 per cent, okra at 102 per cent and cucumbers at 101 per cent, while dates attained a self-sufficiency rate of 121 per cent.
These figures show that domestic producers are collectively generating more than enough of these items to satisfy internal consumption and, in some cases, support exports or stock reserves.
The indicators were based on extensive field surveys and administrative records from relevant ministries and food authorities, analysed according to recognised statistical methods.
The rise in self-sufficiency ratios from 2023 to 2024 was particularly notable in staple crops and animal products.
Onions, for example, recorded a 41.2 per cent increase in self-sufficiency, while tomatoes rose by 9.2 per cent, fish by 8.2 per cent and poultry by 1.4 per cent.
These gains reflect both expanded production capacity and improvements in agricultural practices, supported by government programmes and investment aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s overall food security.
Per-capita supply indicators further illustrate the availability of locally produced foodstuffs: in 2024 the per-capita annual share of rice was 52.1 kilograms, dates 35.8 kilograms, onions 20.5 kilograms and tomatoes 19.6 kilograms, while animal product supplies included 70.3 litres of milk, 46.9 kilograms of poultry and an average of 235 eggs per person.
These measures capture the extent to which domestic output contributes to the daily diets of Saudi residents.
The achievement of full self-sufficiency in these categories aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s comprehensive economic diversification strategy that prioritises food security through expanded production, modern farming techniques and strategic investment in agricultural infrastructure.
Officials say the results reflect both public-sector support and private-sector dynamism in developing a resilient and sustainable food supply chain that can meet national needs under a range of economic and environmental conditions.
The latest Food Security Statistics published by the General Authority for Statistics indicate that production of shrimp, dairy and table eggs all exceeded the level required to meet domestic demand, with particularly large surpluses recorded for some categories.
According to the official data, the self-sufficiency rate for shrimp reached 149 per cent, dairy products 131 per cent and table eggs 103 per cent in 2024, marking improvements on already high levels from previous years and reflecting sustained growth in local aquaculture, livestock and farm output.
Among plant-based products, self-sufficiency also topped 100 per cent for several vegetables, with eggplant at 105 per cent, okra at 102 per cent and cucumbers at 101 per cent, while dates attained a self-sufficiency rate of 121 per cent.
These figures show that domestic producers are collectively generating more than enough of these items to satisfy internal consumption and, in some cases, support exports or stock reserves.
The indicators were based on extensive field surveys and administrative records from relevant ministries and food authorities, analysed according to recognised statistical methods.
The rise in self-sufficiency ratios from 2023 to 2024 was particularly notable in staple crops and animal products.
Onions, for example, recorded a 41.2 per cent increase in self-sufficiency, while tomatoes rose by 9.2 per cent, fish by 8.2 per cent and poultry by 1.4 per cent.
These gains reflect both expanded production capacity and improvements in agricultural practices, supported by government programmes and investment aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s overall food security.
Per-capita supply indicators further illustrate the availability of locally produced foodstuffs: in 2024 the per-capita annual share of rice was 52.1 kilograms, dates 35.8 kilograms, onions 20.5 kilograms and tomatoes 19.6 kilograms, while animal product supplies included 70.3 litres of milk, 46.9 kilograms of poultry and an average of 235 eggs per person.
These measures capture the extent to which domestic output contributes to the daily diets of Saudi residents.
The achievement of full self-sufficiency in these categories aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s comprehensive economic diversification strategy that prioritises food security through expanded production, modern farming techniques and strategic investment in agricultural infrastructure.
Officials say the results reflect both public-sector support and private-sector dynamism in developing a resilient and sustainable food supply chain that can meet national needs under a range of economic and environmental conditions.
