+971 52 248 8528
+966 56 233 0183
The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, better known as Saudi Reef, has announced an ambitious sub-program to dramatically scale up the Kingdom’s coffee production from roughly 800 tonnes currently to 7,000 tonnes annually.
This bold initiative, launched in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, aims not only to increase output but also to strengthen self-sufficiency, reduce coffee imports, and create livelihood opportunities for thousands of rural farmers.
Why This Matters for Saudi Arabia
- The Reef Program’s coffee goal aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on economic diversification, food security, and sustainable agriculture.
- By raising self-sufficiency from 0.5% to 4.4% within the current year, the program is expected to significantly cut reliance on imported coffee.
- The effort is expected to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, especially in regions like Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, by providing more stable income streams and employment in the value chain.
- Strategically, Reef is positioning coffee as a key cash crop in the country’s agricultural mix.
Investment & Progress
- Since its launch in 2020, the Reef Program has allocated SAR 61 million to support coffee farmers a clear signal of its commitment.
- Thanks to this support, production rose 37% from 800 tonnes in 2020 to 1,485 tonnes by 2023.
- Part of the strategy includes planting 50,000 advanced seedlings using tissue-culture technology, drawn from elite genetic samples in Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha boosting tree productivity by ~30% by end of 2025.
- Reef also plans to expand processing infrastructure, establish nurseries, and support rainwater harvesting and irrigation projects to make coffee farming more sustainable.
How J K Can Help
At J K Management Consultancies, we specialize in providing strategic advisory and support services that align with large-scale national agricultural initiatives like the Saudi Reef Program. Our offerings include:
Impact & Outlook
- If the program hits its 7,000-tonne target, Saudi Arabia could nearly ninefold its domestic coffee output, transforming its agricultural landscape.
- By doing so, the Kingdom would reduce its import dependency and capture greater value from processing and marketing.
For rural communities, this could mean stable incomes, more job opportunities, and a revitalization of agricultural regions particularly in places historically suited for coffee cultivation.
The role of consultancies like J K becomes critical: helping turn policy ambitions into real economic outcomes, ensuring that farmers, businesses, and local economies benefit from this green-growth agenda.
Conclusion
The Saudi Reef Program’s coffee sub-initiative is a transformative step in turning coffee into a strategic agricultural pillar for the Kingdom. With J K Management Consultancies support, stakeholders can maximize the program’s potential from grassroots farmers to investors harnessing opportunities that drive economic growth, food security, and sustainable rural development.
