The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced a significant achievement in the dairy sector, with 95% of raw milk production in Saudi Arabia now bearing the trusted quality mark “Saudi GAP.” This figure reflects the commitment of local producers to the highest food safety standards and good agricultural practices, and represents a strategic step towards enhancing national food security and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Historical background of the dairy sector in the Kingdom
The dairy sector in Saudi Arabia has undergone a radical transformation over the past decades. From relying on small-scale traditional farms, the late 1970s and 1980s saw massive investments to establish integrated dairy companies utilizing the latest global technologies. These projects were part of a broader national strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in essential food products. Thanks to these efforts, the Kingdom has successfully transformed its desert into fertile land for raising cattle and producing milk, making it one of the leading dairy producers in the region today. Production in specialized projects reached over 2.7 billion liters in 2024, with approximately 233,000 dairy cows.
The importance and impact of the "Saudi Gap" brand
The “Saudi GAP” label, inspired by Global Good Agricultural Practices (GGP), serves as a guarantee to consumers that the product adheres to a series of rigorous standards throughout all stages of production, from animal care and feeding to milking and storage, and finally to its arrival at the consumer. This initiative, launched by the Ministry, aims to solidify the concept of sustainability in the agricultural sector, improve the management of natural resources such as water and feed, and enhance the efficiency of farmers and workers in the sector through continuous training and development.
Local and regional impact of the achievement
Domestically, this achievement boosts consumer confidence in Saudi products and encourages them to choose domestic products over imported ones, thus supporting the local economy and creating new job opportunities. It also aligns directly with the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes food security and sustainable development. Regionally, the fact that the vast majority of Saudi milk production has obtained this prestigious certification enhances the reputation of Saudi products in the GCC and Middle Eastern markets, opens new export opportunities, and solidifies the Kingdom's position as a regional leader in high-quality food production. This progress is not merely a statistic; it is a testament to the success of ambitious agricultural policies and the private sector's ability to adapt and innovate to achieve the highest global quality standards.
