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Olam Agri Expands Presence in Eastern Europe with CFG Integration

The Saudi sovereign fund SALIC reorganizes its strategic assets by integrating the Ukrainian producer Continental Farmers Group (CFG) into Olam Agri, in which it now holds an 81.81% stake. The stakes are high: leveraging CFG's agricultural production power in Eastern Europe (over one million tons of grains per year) with Olam Agri's global logistics and trading strength.

IMAD Acquires 35% Stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds, Global Seed Leader

Vilmorin & Cie (Limagrain Group) has finalized the entry of IMAD, the Abu Dhabi sovereign fund, with a 35% stake in its subsidiary Limagrain Vegetable Seeds (LVS). This major financial alliance is accompanied by a strategic research agreement with Silal (IMAD's agritech branch) to develop vegetable seeds suited for arid and desert conditions. With a projected revenue of €839 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, LVS is accelerating its international development while maintaining unchanged governance under the French cooperative.

Leguminous Crops: Towards a Global Production of 70 Mt by 2034

According to the OECD, leguminous crop production is expected to grow by 26 Mt by 2034, with Canada as the leading exporter. Despite the anticipated increase, few countries will achieve self-sufficiency, particularly India, which remains the largest producer but cannot meet its population's needs. Innovative agricultural techniques and yield improvements are essential to meet the rising demand.

Elite Agro Holding Opens 200-Hectare Berry Farm in Morocco

The Emirati company Elite Agro Holding, through its subsidiary Elite Harvest Morocco, has opened a new 200-hectare farm in Kenitra, dedicated to the production of blueberries and raspberries. This investment of over 500 million AED underscores the group's commitment to the Moroccan agricultural market, creating more than 8,000 jobs and aiming to become the leader in berry production in the Arab world. The farm, equipped with modern technologies, is part of a strategy for sustainable development and competitiveness in international markets.

Terraxy Secures $3 Million for Soil Regeneration in Saudi Arabia

Terraxy, a startup emerging from Saudi research, has secured $3 million in funding to develop soil regeneration technologies in desert environments. This funding will support the transition to industrial production, with the construction of a commercial facility in Al Zulfi. Its product, Carbosoil, promises to regenerate desert soils by enhancing plant growth while sequestering CO₂, addressing soil degradation challenges.

Bio-solutions in Turkey: A Potential of €10.8 Billion by 2035

The bio-solutions sector in Turkey, currently valued at €4 billion, could more than double by 2035 with adequate political support. Bio-solutions are essential for improving industrial efficiency, enhancing export competitiveness, and supporting sustainable economic transformation. Policy recommendations are proposed to unlock the potential of this strategic sector.

Agriculture in Arid Environments: UAE Unveils New Generation of High-Protein Wheat

The Sharjah Desert Wheat Project in the UAE has produced second-generation plants with a protein content of 19.3%, surpassing global standards. The integration of precision agriculture, AI, and ground sensors optimizes irrigation and reduces water loss, providing an innovative solution for food security in arid regions.

Agri-biotech: Elicit Plant Strengthens Its International Offensive Against Water Stress

Global Agribusiness: Saudi Agricultural Investment Company Acquires Olam Agri for $4 Billion

Olam Group has announced the completion of the sale of 44.58% of its subsidiary Olam Agri to the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) for approximately $1.88 billion. This transaction values Olam Agri at $4 billion, allowing SALIC to become the majority shareholder with 80.01% of the shares.

Food Security in the Gulf: Balancing Ambitions and Realities

Recent geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East have reignited concerns about the resilience of food supply chains in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Giovanni Angiolini, representative of Dutch agritech companies, emphasizes the need to treat food production as a long-term investment. Despite notable progress, challenges remain, particularly regarding regulations and infrastructure. Circular models already developed for Qatar and Oman could serve as a foundation for other GCC countries.

Unibio and SIIG Launch World's Largest Single-Cell Protein Plant in Saudi Arabia

The joint venture between the Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) and Danish biotech Unibio International PLC aims to establish a single-cell protein production facility in Al Jubail, with an initial capacity of 50,000 tons per year and ambitions to expand to over 300,000 tons. This project, utilizing innovative fermentation technology, addresses the need to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on animal feed imports while aligning with the country's Vision 2030.

Arbe Launches 4D Radar for Autonomous Agricultural Machinery

Israeli company Arbe Robotics has unveiled a high-definition 4D imaging radar designed for machines operating in complex environments, including agriculture. This technology enables precise obstacle detection and real-time perception, even in low visibility conditions. It could facilitate the development of safer and more efficient autonomous agricultural machines in off-road environments.

Engazaat Launches Fund to Finance Water, Energy, and Agriculture Projects in the Middle East

Engazaat, an asset manager based in Egypt, announces an investment of over $100 million to expand its operations in the water, renewable energy, and agriculture sectors in the Middle East. This initiative is part of a $250 million portfolio and employs a Build–Own–Operate model to optimize operational efficiency. The launch of the $200 million SAVE fund aims to support sustainable infrastructure projects, integrating energy and water systems to enhance agricultural production.

NADEC Trials Polymer to Reduce Crop Water Needs

SAUDI ARABIA. The National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC) has launched large-scale field trials for the organic polymer EF, an innovative technology aimed at reducing irrigation and the use of non-renewable groundwater, while improving soil health in arid regions. The trials focus on key crops such as wheat, olive trees, and blueberries.