From ranch to table : an exploratory multiple case study of food security in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The food security challenge has been and still is a concern for many countries. In Saudi Arabia, the food security situation can be observed through the food-energy-water nexus. Since these elements are interconnected, when one is affected it’s evident that the remaining two will undoubtedly be affected. The arable land constitutes 2 percent of the country’s huge land mass. Saudi Arabia provided intensive irrigation and advanced farming technology, yet the country’s arid climate combined with previous mismanaged agricultural practices increased the desertification rate. In addition, Saudi Arabia has always been reliant on food imports, this dependency has been rising due to the growing population. By 2050, the country’s population is expected to grow by 77 percent (Lippman, 2010). Further, Saudi Arabia has depleted its water resources. The country’s determination to reach self-sufficiency in crops such as wheat resulted in exhausting the water supplies in KSA. Thus, Saudi Arabia depends heavily on desalinated water to secure nation’s demand. Desalinated water covers seventy percent of the kingdoms water demand, however this created other challenges for Saudi Arabia. For instance, the required energy input is accounted for more than 50 percent of the domestic oil consumption. Thus, linking the desalination process to the stability of KSA’s oil supply. Moreover, the government has supported investment projects abroad through King Abdullah Food Security Initiative. The initiative has encouraged Saudi investors to use their experience and resources abroad. Saudi food and agricultural companies have been benefiting from such funds. This study gives an overview of the food security situation in Saudi Arabia and explores the strategies and investments of two cases, Almarai and SALIC, in order to comprehend their impact on the ongoing concern of food security. The research conducts two case studies, SALIC and Almarai, by using a comparative analysis approach to produce their capabili