Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia is among the top 10 countries in the world in coffee consumption, leading the government to adopt various initiatives and programs to foster the beverage’s cultivation.
The Kingdom currently produces more than 400,000 Arabica coffee trees, yielding over 800 tons annually, from the regions of Jazan, Aseer, and Al-Baha, with the sector development plan aiming to plant 1.2 million coffee trees by 2026.
On the occasion of International Coffee Day on October 1, the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture said that the Kingdom hosts more than 2,535 coffee farms in the Southern Region, including over 500 model coffee farms.
The ministry stressed its commitment to work on increasing coffee production as part of crops with high economic returns. It aims to make 15 provinces in the southwestern part of the Kingdom a significant source of Saudi Arabian coffee, specifically the Arabica type known for its quality compared to other types.
The ministry also emphasized the launch of several initiatives and programs to develop coffee cultivation, including the support provided by the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (REF) to enhance the production, manufacturing, and marketing of Arabica coffee.
The kingdom has also signed an agreement for the establishment of the Kingdom’s first coffee city. Already, Arabica Coffee has been included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
The Kingdom has now renamed “Arabic Coffee,” as “Saudi Coffee,” and Year of Saudi Coffee was commemorated in 2022.
The government has directed Public Investment Fund (PIF) to launch the Saudi Coffee Company for investment in this sector.
