RIYADH — Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) received the first shipment, carrying 60,000 tons of wheat produced in Ukraine at Jeddah Islamic Port, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday quoting an official statement.

This represents the first imported wheat produced by Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co (SALIC), according to the statement.

Commenting on the development, SAGO Governor Ahmed Al-Fares said: “The arrival of the shipment is in line with the Kingdom’s strategy to capitalize on the Saudi agricultural investments abroad, and fulfill the local market needs.”

It is also part of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural investment program abroad, representing one of the multiple food security programs, aimed at diversifying sources of foreign food supplies, Al-Fares added.

“SAGO is keen on diversifying the wheat procurement sources through the international tenders, in addition to purchasing locally-planted wheat from farmers, given the regulations of green fodder cultivation,” SAGO governor added. — SG