Riyadh: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Saudi Reef) has launched its first sub-program dedicated to developing the production, manufacturing, and marketing of Saudi coffee, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as part of efforts to boost the crop’s role as a key cash commodity.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the program aims to raise annual coffee production from 800 tons to 7,000 tons and increase self-sufficiency from 0.5% to 4.4% by the end of the current year. This initiative seeks to contribute to food security and support the national economy, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudi Reef Spokesperson Majed Al-Buraikan highlighted that the coffee development program is designed to integrate Saudi coffee into the agricultural crop structure as an essential cash crop. The program aims to diversify the production base, boost self-sufficiency, and reduce coffee imports. Additionally, it seeks to add value through diversified processing and marketing, improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and producers by increasing their income and creating employment opportunities for youth in production areas and across the value chain.

The coffee sector is one of the eight agricultural sectors supported by Saudi Reef, which contributes to food security, crop diversification, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and producers, as well as productive rural households.