The Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Program, known as “Reef Saudi Arabia,” has revealed a significant economic achievement reflecting the success of the Kingdom’s agricultural strategies. The total market value of the program’s key sectors reached over SAR 5.6 billion by 2025. This announcement underscores the pivotal role of the agricultural sector in diversifying national income sources.
Vision context and economic transformation
These figures cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes food security and diversifying the non-oil economy. Since the launch of the "Reef Saudi Arabia" program, the Kingdom has sought to leverage the comparative advantages of its diverse rural areas, from the terraced fields of the south to the oases and coastal regions, with the aim of transforming traditional agriculture into a sustainable, high-value-added industry.
Details of the figures and targeted sectors
In detailing the announcement, Majid Al-Buraikan, the official spokesperson for the "Reef Saudi Arabia" program, explained that the program has successfully introduced products with a market value in the billions of riyals into the local market. The fruit sector led the way with a market value exceeding 2.3 billion riyals, indicating a significant improvement in both the quality and quantity of local production. In a related context, the value of the Saudi coffee sector, considered an important cultural and economic heritage, reached approximately 825 million riyals. Al-Buraikan noted that this total value covers the program's five strategic sectors: fruit, coffee, honey, roses, and rainfed crops.
Economic and social impact
The significance of these figures extends beyond the purely financial aspect, touching upon a profound social and developmental impact. The program directly contributes to improving the income and living standards of small farmers and productive families. Al-Buraikan emphasized that this success represents a "qualitative leap" in the development of rural Saudi Arabia, as it encourages continued efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in many crops and provides sustainable employment opportunities for rural residents, thus contributing to reducing migration to cities and achieving social stability.
Environmental sustainability and support for producers
In addition to its economic objectives, the Saudi Countryside Development Program places great emphasis on environmental balance and the preservation of natural resources by promoting sound agricultural practices. The program offers a comprehensive package of direct financial support and extension services targeting diverse segments of the population, including small farmers, honey producers, livestock breeders, and small-scale fishermen, as well as the value-added sector, which enhances post-harvest yields for agricultural products.
