Riyadh: The Ministry of Commerce in Saudi Arabia has made a significant move to bolster its food security by placing an immediate order for an additional 30,000 tons of cassava pellets from Thailand. This decision follows a successful trial import, with plans to further increase the order to 100,000 tons next year.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting between Ministry of Commerce executives, led by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, and ARASCO, a prominent Saudi food security company, resulted in this significant procurement. The discussions also opened avenues for broader cooperation on various Thai agricultural and food products, including animal feed, processed products, and halal food, which are in high demand in Saudi Arabia. The meeting also explored opportunities for enhancement in livestock, agricultural innovation, and export possibilities for Thailand in the Middle Eastern market. Saudi Arabia is considered a crucial trading partner, offering substantial growth potential for Thai agricultural and food products.
The Ministry of Commerce delegation also took the opportunity to showcase Thai food products at the Thai Food Village during Saudi Arabia's largest food festival, the Saudi Feast Food Festival 2025 in Riyadh. Thailand was recognized as the country of honor at the event, highlighting its diverse range of food products, from fruits and ready-to-eat meals to popular Thai dishes. This recognition marks a vital step in expanding the Thai food market in the Middle East. Minister Suphajee engaged with entrepreneurs to understand their challenges and pledged support for facilitating trade, imports, and exports while addressing limitations to boost competitiveness. The Thai booth was a focal point at the festival, indicating a growing demand for Thai food products and promising prospects for future exports.
Additionally, Ministry of Commerce executives held discussions with Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce. The meeting aimed to strengthen economic and trade relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, leveraging the influence of the senior Saudi minister in the economic community.