Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 25, Saudi Arabia’s General Food Security Authority (GFSA) announced on Monday the purchase of 300,000 metric tons of hard wheat with 12.5 percent protein content through an international tender. Delivery is scheduled for February and April 2026.

Origins were open to suppliers from the European Union, Black Sea region, North America, South America, and Australia, with sellers permitted to choose the most competitive source. GFSA Governor Ahmad Al-Fares confirmed the purchase details in an official statement.

The wheat was acquired on a cost-and-freight (C&F) basis at the following prices:

- Jeddah port: 60,000 tons from Cargill at $258.21 per ton and 60,000 tons from Solaris at $259.74 per ton (arrival March 1–15, 2026)

- Yanbu port: 60,000 tons from Cargill at $257.96 per ton, 60,000 tons from Cofco at $259.49 per ton (March 1–15, 2026), and 60,000 tons from Cargill at $258.88 per ton (April 1–15, 2026)

European traders noted that the awarded prices were approximately $7–8 per ton below current market replacement values, suggesting anticipation of softer global wheat prices in early 2026 due to ample supplies. Most of the volume is expected to originate from the Black Sea region, primarily Russia and Romania, with some potential contribution from new-crop Argentine wheat.

The latest purchase follows a 455,000-ton tender concluded on October 6, 2025. Additionally, on October 13 the GFSA secured around 500,000 tons from Saudi investors operating abroad, which has helped reduce the volume required through public international tenders.

The procurement supports Saudi Arabia’s ongoing strategy to maintain strategic wheat reserves while benefiting from competitive global market conditions and diverse supply origins.