Almarai on track to import all animal fodder needs by 2019

Almarai Co., the Gulf region’s largest dairy producer, said it has made significant progress in securing the supply of quality alfalfa from outside the kingdom to support its dairy business.

It is on track to import all of its animal fodder needs by 2019, the company said in a statement Tuesday on Tadawul.

In 2016, Almarai imported 52 percent of its alfalfa requirement from other countries, including Argentina, Romania and the US. The import of fodder resulted in increased costs of SAR 160 million, it added.

The company has been working on plans to phase out local animal feed production--particularly alfalfa--needed for its dairy farming in response to the Saudi government’s water conservation drive.