News / 03 Jul 2025Hail Governor Lays Foundation Stone for “Al Raie” Company in the Presence of Environment Minister, Advancing Local Red Meat Production
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Hā’il Region, laid the cornerstone for Al Raie Company, a subsidiary jointly owned by “Al Muhaidib Group” and “Nadec”, in the presence of His Excellency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen AlFadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, alongside prominent figures from the public and private sectors.
The project aims to enhance domestic red meat production, reduce reliance on imports, and build an efficient local food supply chain, while promoting environmental protection and empowering small-scale farmers, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
His Royal Highness highlighted the project’s transformative potential in the livestock sector, noting its adoption of global best practices and rigorous standards to drive sectoral efficiency and sustainability. He also commended the efforts of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in strengthening the livestock industry, ensuring food security, and supporting breeders to advance rural development.
He further emphasized Hā’il’s strategic advantages including its geographic location, comprehensive infrastructure, and logistics network, positioning it as a national and regional hub for food security and livestock production. The project is expected to operate at a capacity of one million sheep per year.
During the ceremony, memorandums of understanding were signed with Hā’il University, the Sulaiman Al Rajhi Finance and Development Foundation, and the Entag Organization.
HE AlFadhli described the initiative as the result of a strategic partnership between “Nadec” and “Al Muhaidib Group”, backed by more than SAR 1 billion in funding from the Agricultural Development Fund, as part of total investments exceeding SAR 2 billion. He noted that the project is the first of its kind globally, offering a fully integrated model that combines breeding, production, processing, distribution, and preservation of local breeds within a smart and sustainable ecosystem.
He further described the project as a pioneering national model aimed at boosting agricultural efficiency, increasing local red meat output, and reducing import dependency. The initiative covers the entire value chain from breeding and care to secondary product utilization, maximizing value and minimizing waste, while marking a strategic leap forward in livestock development and food security.
Minister AlFadhli added that the project aligns with the Ministry’s objectives to foster private sector partnerships and promote specialized investments in intensive livestock farming. Significantly, 30% of total output will come from small farmers under contract-farming schemes, supporting job creation and rural development. He stressed that such national collaborations are critical to building a resilient and sustainable agricultural future rooted in innovation, integration, and environmental stewardship.
From the private sector, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Rebdi, Chairman of “Nadec”, emphasized that “Al Raie” is more than a production project; it represents a comprehensive ecosystem for safe, high-quality local meat production based on innovation and sustainability. He highlighted the synergy between public and private sectors, particularly in preserving rare livestock breeds, minimizing loss, and enhancing production efficiency.
Mr. Sulaiman Al Muhaidib, Chairman of “Al Muhaidib Group”, affirmed that “Al Raie” aspires to become the national reference in red meat production and a regional leader in sustainable livestock practices, through increasing local market share, transforming supply chains, and delivering a world-class national model for livestock management.