Some observations Day 2 - Alex Keamy and Neville Welke

Main points from today :

1. Advised we are First  grain grower delegation to visit Saudi Arabia - felt very privileged.

2. The CBH brand name is well recognised by Saudi customers and trusted.

3. Importation requirements of wheat is increasing at a consistently high rate as their domestic production will cease in 2016.

4. Importation of feed grains and barley straw is on their agenda for animal fattening with favourable election results in Australia, giving them hope of a reopening of our live animal export trade. 

5. SGAF also keen to develop a direct relationship with growers for fixed price contracts for feed barley like they have done for past three years in Black Sea region.  

Some facts from today :

Saudi grain production will in 2016 due to Govt. policy on water usage.  Increased imports of wheat will grow to 3.6mmt per year

Saudi are the largest feed barley importer in the world with 7.5- 8.0 mmt requirement per year 

Saudi population and living standards are increasing ie better diets meaning more wheat consumption and more protein means more feed barley demand for livestock .   Having 65% of worlds oil reserves in this Gulf region also means they have the means to fund the countries growth and rising standards 

An increase of 1USD per barrel of oil equals USD4 billion increase in the Gulf Countries Council (GCC) GDP.  

Interesting Cultural facts:

Beautiful food - check out the pics

Very hospitable  people 

Honey pot for for old Mercedes Benz truck parts - seems to be plenty of old and new ones sighted