NADEC Kicks Off SAR 2 Billion Mega-Project to Revolutionize Saudi Sheep Production, Targeting 1 Million Heads Annually

RIYADH – The National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC), a key player in Saudi Arabia’s food and agriculture sector, has officially launched a landmark initiative set to transform the Kingdom’s livestock industry. The company announced the foundation laying ceremony for its Al Raie National Livestock Company project, a mega-project with an estimated total investment of approximately SAR 2 billion.

In a statement to the Tadawul stock exchange, NADEC (Tadawul: 6010) revealed the ambitious scope of the project, which aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 1 million heads of sheep by the year 2030. This move represents a significant step toward bolstering Saudi Arabia’s food security and reducing its reliance on meat and livestock imports.

Underpinning the project’s strategic importance is substantial government backing. NADEC confirmed that the venture is supported by government financing of around SAR 1.1 billion, highlighting a strong public-private partnership aimed at achieving national self-sufficiency goals. This government commitment signals confidence in NADEC’s ability to execute the large-scale project and its alignment with the country’s broader Vision 2030 objectives for economic diversification and agricultural development.

For NADEC, the Al Raie project marks a massive expansion of its livestock operations and a major new pillar for future growth. By scaling up domestic sheep production so dramatically, the company is positioning itself as a dominant force in the regional protein market.

The foundation laying ceremony officially kicks off the development phase of the project. Investors and industry analysts will be closely watching as NADEC works to build the infrastructure necessary to meet its 2030 production target, a goal that could reshape the agricultural landscape of Saudi Arabia and the wider region.