Saudi Arabia issues tender for 595,000 tons of hard milling wheat
The agency is seeking ten consignments of hard wheat with a minimum protein content of 12.5%
SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia’s state grains buying agency, the General Food Security Authority (GFSA), has issued an international tender to purchase around 595,000 metric tons of hard milling wheat, underlining the kingdom’s continued reliance on imports to secure staple food supplies.
GFSA said the deadline for submission of price offers is Friday, January 16, with European traders indicating that tender results are expected on Monday, January 19.
The agency is seeking ten consignments of hard wheat with a minimum protein content of 12.5%, sourced from optional origins, for delivery during April and May.
According to trade sources, a maximum of 180,000 tons is earmarked for delivery to Jeddah, split into three consignments of 60,000 tons each, scheduled to arrive between April 1 and May 31.
Yanbu is expected to receive up to 240,000 tons in four 60,000-ton consignments over the same April–May window. Dammam is allocated a maximum of 120,000 tons in two consignments of 60,000 tons, with arrivals between April 15 and May 31.
In addition, one 55,000-ton consignment is planned for arrival at Jizan between April 1 and April 15.
The tender follows GFSA’s last reported wheat purchase on November 24, when the authority bought 300,000 tons. The larger volume sought in the latest tender suggests steady import demand as Saudi Arabia replenishes its strategic reserves and meets rising consumption.
Saudi Arabia is among the world’s largest wheat importers, as domestic wheat production has declined significantly over the past decade due to policy decisions aimed at conserving water resources.
The kingdom phased out large-scale domestic wheat cultivation in 2016, shifting toward imports and overseas agricultural investments to ensure long-term food security.
Wheat is a core staple in the Saudi diet and a critical input for the country’s flour milling and baking industries, which serve both domestic consumers and the foodservice sector.
GFSA, formerly known as the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO), is responsible for sourcing wheat, managing storage, and ensuring stable supplies to local millers.
The authority typically sources wheat from the European Union, the Black Sea region, Australia, and North America, depending on price competitiveness, quality specifications, and freight economics.
The use of optional origins in the current tender gives exporters flexibility and allows GFSA to benefit from competitive global pricing.
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