How is the GCC agri-nutrient sector contributing to global food security, and how should the industry prepare for and respond to ongoing supply chain disruptions and climate expectations?

The GCC agri-nutrient sector plays a critical role in global food security by leveraging its abundant natural resources, which supported GCC countries favorably to expand further in agri-nutrient capacities. The proximity to some of the key agri-nutrient markets, such as South Asia and Africa allows the GCC to ensure a steady supply of essential agri-nutrients. The GCC has become a global leader in nutrient exports, supporting agricultural productivity worldwide. The industry is also strengthening supply chains and investing in innovation to adapt to climate expectations, including embracing low-carbon technologies and sustainable practices, in line with long-term supply responsibility. Adopting sustainable technologies comes at a cost. However, the cost benefit for both the producer and consumer is still not fully addressed and mature globally. In the GCC, food security comes first and hence the transition must be balanced, ensuring agri-nutrients remain accessible while we invest in cleaner, more responsible solutions.

Given the GCC region’s limited arable land and high food import dependency, what innovative strategies can be adopted to enhance food security without compromising environmental goals, and how can the GCC agri-nutrient industry support such strategies?

The GCC agri-nutrient sector is addressing current food import dependency challenges through innovation, focusing on smart agrotechnology and increased investment in Research & Development (R&D). Rather than expanding arable land, the emphasis is on improving productivity per acre using less land and water while minimizing the environmental impact. This approach also aligns with the region’s unique climatic conditions and supports the goal of becoming a more sustainable producer.

Can you tell us more about Maaden’s future plans and how they align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the region’s net-zero ambitions?

Maaden is Saudi Arabia’s leading mining company and the third pillar of the economy. The company aligns its plans closely with the Kingdom’s vision for 2030 and its net-zero ambitions. Maaden aims to grow its EBITDA 10 times by 2040 which will contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia’s GDP. Maaden remains committed to its goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Maaden is constantly exploring partnership opportunities for decarbonization to go one step closer to their carbon neutrality target.

Can you share insights into Maaden’s latest strategic growth projects — such as Ma’aden’s USD 6.4 billion Phosphate 3 project — and what it means for the company?

From a company perspective, the project will increase phosphate fertilizer production from 6 Mt to 9 Mt, increasing our global market share from 20% to 25%. This will strengthen our position as the second largest phosphate exporter with a fully integrated value chain. One of our strategic focuses is on diversified products with customized NPS/NPK providing building blocks for diverse soil and crop needs.

What role does collaboration play in accelerating innovation and resilience across the agri-nutrient value chain?

There are two key dimensions to this cooperation:

1. Producer collaboration: This involves agri-nutrient producers sharing best practices and providing technical support to one another. Such collaboration helps maintain high production efficiency and ensures agri-nutrient are consistently available to farmers around the world.
2. Producer–distributor collaboration: This focuses on strengthening the relationship between producers and distributors, who are closer to the farmers and regularly gather feedback on product quality and performance. This feedback loop enables both producers and end users to benefit from improved products and services through continuous collaboration.