Saudi Arabia, Korea Sign Deal to Localize Potato Seed Production

Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley on Saturday, witnessed the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Company and Korea’s Global Grain (EGG) at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

 The agreement aims to localize the production of high-quality potato seeds using advanced global technologies, as part of broader efforts to achieve food security, enhance self-sufficiency, and reduce the Kingdom’s annual potato seed imports, currently valued at approximately SAR200 million.

 According to the ministry, the project is expected to generate a cumulative agricultural output of SAR500 million by 2034, while contributing directly to the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives of strengthening the food sector and improving the national trade balance.

 As part of the agreement, a state-of-the-art laboratory will be established at Al-Jouf Agricultural Company’s headquarters in Al-Basita, Al-Jouf Region. The facility is set to become a regional hub for the research, development, and production of strategic potato seed varieties to ensure their availability through local cultivation. The agreement also includes a direct investment of SAR15 million in Global Grain through convertible bonds.

 Production of high-quality potato seeds is scheduled to begin in 2026. The ministry noted that the partnership supports national efforts to modernize the agriculture sector by leveraging technology to enhance productivity, reduce water consumption, ensure long-term sustainability, and support the Kingdom’s food security.