Agriculture

Saudis look to import WA wheat

A high-level Saudi Arabian delegation toured Western Australia in late March looking to boost wheat imports as the country phases out irrigated crop production. The WA Department of Agriculture said Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman had invited the kingdom's sole wheat importer, the Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organisation, on the inspection trip. Mr. Redman, who visited Saudi Arabia on a trade mission last year, said there was considerable potential for WA to become a major wheat supplier to the kingdom. "Saudi Arabia is focusing on its water security and phasing out irrigated wheat production," Mr. Redman said. "Instead, the kingdom will rely more on imported wheat to satisfy an estimated annual demand for 2.5 million tons. Their total demand for all grains will be six million tons."

Kuwait hunts for Turkish agriculture investments

Kuwaiti firms and other Gulf Cooperation Council members are looking to invest in agriculture and food in Turkey, and could sign a number of contacts this year, the head of Turkey's investment agency said. Speaking at the sidelines of a conference in Kuwait city, Alpaslan Korkmaz said: "We have got a lot of interest...specifically Kuwaiti companies." He added: "God willing this year we will have very interesting realized investments from the GCC in Turkey in the agro-food business." He declined to detail specific deals. Investments would be in cereal production, animal farming and food processing, he said.