SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia’s General Food Security Authority (GFSA) has launched an international tender to purchase approximately 595,000 metric tons of wheat, with bids due by December 13.
The results of the tender are expected to be announced on Monday, December 16, 2024.
The wheat, with a specified protein content of 12.5%, will be delivered to several major Saudi ports between February and April 2025.
The GFSA has divided the wheat shipments among Jeddah, Dammam, Yanbu, and Jizan, with total quantities and delivery schedules carefully planned to ensure a steady supply for the country’s milling industry.
The shipments to Jeddah, totaling 180,000 tons, will arrive in three phases: between March 1-15, March 15-31, and April 1-15, 2025. Yanbu is set to receive a total of 240,000 tons, with deliveries spread across four separate windows: February 15-28, March 1-15, April 1-15, and April 15-30.
The Dammam port will handle 120,000 tons in two deliveries, scheduled for February 15-28 and March 15-31. Lastly, Jizan will receive one shipment of 55,000 tons between April 15-30, 2025.
The wheat can be sourced from various global origins, providing flexibility for suppliers and allowing them to meet the GFSA’s requirements for quality and timely delivery.
This tender is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to bolster its food security, ensuring that the country has a reliable supply of wheat for its flour mills and domestic consumption.
The GFSA’s ongoing efforts to secure wheat supplies reflect its commitment to stabilizing the domestic market, particularly amidst ongoing global supply chain challenges.
In October 2024, the authority awarded a separate contract for the importation of 307,000 tons of wheat, further emphasizing the nation’s focus on securing its strategic grain reserves.
The tender process will give international suppliers the opportunity to submit competitive offers based on market conditions and logistical capabilities.
With the deadline fast approaching, the results of the tender will play a crucial role in determining the wheat supply for Saudi Arabia’s milling industry in the first quarter of 2025.
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