The Ministry of Agriculture today issued its statistical statement for FY 2000, which shows that the Kingdom is 84 percent self-sufficient in vegetables, with an increase in production from 1.8 to 1.9 million tons. Production of fruit also increased from 1.15 to 1.2 million tons. Similar increases were recorded in the production of dairy products and fish. The contribution of domestic agricultural production to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased in value from SR 34.4 billion [U.S. $ 9.17 billion] in 1999 to SR 34.6 billion [$ 9.23 billion] in 2000, corresponding to 10.3 percent of the total for the non-oil sector.

During FY 2000, Saudi Arabia exported 956,000 tons of foodstuff worth about SR 1.7 billion [$ 0.45 billion], compared to 868,000 tons worth SR 1.77 billion [$ 0.47] in 1999. Food imports for FY 2000 amounted to 25 million tons, worth SR 12 billion [$ 3.2 billion], compared to 24.2 million tons worth SR 10.5 billion [$ 2.8 billion] the year before.

Return