Thimar: A Government Program Supporting Saudi Agriculture and Its Impact on the

Thimar is not a joint-stock company or a purely financial entity; it is a comprehensive government program launched by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to connect local farmers with modern marketing channels for fruits and vegetables. The initiative started in late 2022 through pilot projects, later expanding to become one of the state's most important tools in supporting the agricultural sector. Thimar aims to increase the agricultural sector's contribution to GDP and diversify national income sources, while emphasizing the improvement of local product quality and facilitating its access to markets. The program includes providing technical training for farmers, establishing modern agricultural cooperatives, and linking these cooperatives with specialized packaging companies, as well as facilitating export processes. Thus, Thimar contributes to developing the food security system and achieving the goals of Vision 2030 related to self-sufficiency and localizing food industries.

Recent government statistics indicate that the Thimar program has achieved significant expansion during 2024 and 2025. By the end of 2024, the number of farmers benefiting from Thimar-related agricultural support programs and activities exceeded 5,000 Saudi farmers, doubling to reach 8,000 by mid-2025. The volume of local fruit agricultural production increased by 6% to 12% annually, reaching approximately 2.5 million tons by 2025. The volume of direct government investment in sector development reached about 1.5 billion riyals in 2024, swelling to 2.2 billion riyals in 2025. These figures reflect the state's increasing commitment to advancing the agricultural sector and highlight the importance of Thimar in empowering the local economy and improving the quality of agricultural products.

Despite the name's popularity, Thimar is not a company listed on the Saudi financial market (Tadawul), but rather a purely governmental program that does not possess tradable shares or market value. This is reflected in the absence of any data regarding share price, price-to-earnings ratio, or dividends specific to Thimar in financial market reports. If Thimar were a joint-stock company, one would expect to monitor indicators such as market value, profitability, and annual distributions. However, the fruit sector in Saudi Arabia remains one of the least represented sectors in the stock market, as most listed companies are concentrated in other food industries such as dairy and animal products. Consequently, there is no direct financial data for Thimar, but its performance can be inferred from the growth indicators of the agricultural sector in general.

The fruits and vegetables sector represents a vital part of the Saudi agricultural economy, with most local production previously directed towards direct consumption or sale in traditional markets. With the launch of the Thimar initiative, there has been a greater focus on supporting local production and developing supply chains. The local market still heavily relies on imports, especially outside of production seasons, where imports account for more than 50% of annual needs. The main competition comes from foreign imports and some major local companies in retail and distribution. Although there is no single dominant competitor in the sector, the Thimar initiative has contributed to structuring the market by gathering farmers and providing technical and financial support, creating a new competitive environment based on quality and modern technologies.

Thimar's goals align with the 2030 Vision set by the Kingdom to enhance food security and diversify national income sources. The program aims to gradually double the production of national fruits by 2030, achieving high annual growth rates in certain varieties. It also seeks to improve product quality, reduce food waste, and develop modern agricultural technologies such as hydroponics and greenhouse farming. By supporting farmers and providing financing and training, Thimar contributes to reducing reliance on imports and enhancing Saudi Arabia's position as a reliable source of fruits and vegetables in the region.

The Thimar initiative has witnessed several significant developments over the past two years. It has expanded geographically to include new areas such as Al-Jawf and Al-Qassim, increasing the number of participating farmers. An online platform was launched to facilitate farmers in updating their data and selling their crops directly to sales outlets, resulting in a 7% reduction in food waste during the 2024 season. The program has also seen agreements signed with major retail chains and partnerships with international universities to enhance agricultural research and increase opportunities for exporting dried fruits. Increased grants and facilitated loans, along with raising import tariffs on some competing products, have been incentives to support local production. These developments reflect the government's direction to transform agriculture into a more modern and profitable sector.

Thimar has increasingly relied on modern technologies to improve productivity and product quality. Among the most notable innovations are mobile applications for managing farm and crop data, smart irrigation systems to reduce water consumption, and hydroponic and greenhouse technologies. Tracking systems for crops from the farm to the final consumer have also been introduced through digital supply chains. These innovations have not only increased production efficiency but have also contributed to reducing waste and improving the competitiveness of local products against foreign imports. The role of technological innovation is expected to continue enhancing the position of the Saudi agricultural sector in the coming years.

The Thimar initiative primarily relies on government funding, where the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, in cooperation with the Agricultural Bank and agricultural development funds, provides grants and facilitated loans to farmers. In 2024, the value of interest-free agricultural loans reached one billion riyals, and the value of government subsidies and grants rose to 2.2 billion riyals in 2025. This financial support allows farmers to invest in modern equipment, upgrade infrastructure, and adopt sustainable farming methods. It also encourages the participation of youth and new categories in the agricultural sector and enhances the national economy's ability to cope with fluctuations in global markets.

Despite the successes achieved by Thimar, there are ongoing challenges including limited water resources, difficulty attracting the youth generation to work in agriculture, and price fluctuations of products due to competition with foreign imports. The sustainability of government funding also represents a concern for some economic analysts. However, the ministry is planning to overcome these challenges by introducing more technologies, expanding partnerships with the private sector, and promoting smart agriculture projects. The coming years are expected to witness an expansion in the number of beneficiaries and diversification in supported products, enhancing the program's sustainability.

Thimar has directly contributed to increasing the self-sufficiency rate of fruits and vegetables and reducing reliance on imports. This has reflected on stabilizing food prices and lowering food inflation rates, supporting economic and social stability in the Kingdom. The initiative has also created new job opportunities in the agriculture sector and related industries, enhancing Saudi Arabia's position as a reliable source of agricultural products in the region. Environmental sustainability is a primary goal, as the program focuses on optimal resource use, reducing waste, and improving soil and water quality.

Thimar has begun exploring export opportunities to regional and international markets, especially with increased production and improved quality. Memorandums of understanding have been signed with international universities and research institutions to develop new varieties of dried fruits, which could open new markets for Saudi products. Collaboration is also underway with regional distribution companies to transfer expertise and exchange agricultural technologies. These steps support the ministry's plan to make Saudi Arabia a regional hub for high-quality agricultural product trade and provide local farmers with new opportunities for growth and expansion.

The Thimar program focuses on developing human capital in the agricultural sector through training and technical qualification programs. Intensive courses are organized for farmers on modern technologies, farm management, and quality and marketing requirements. The initiative also provides incentives for new and young farmers, including facilitated loans and ongoing technical support. This investment in human resources aims to raise production efficiency, enhance innovation, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.

The impact of Thimar is not limited to the agricultural sector alone; it extends to food manufacturing, transportation, logistics services, and retail trade. The increase in local production of fruits and vegetables has stimulated related industries such as packaging and improved supply chains. The program has also contributed to creating new job opportunities and expanding business activities in rural areas. Continuous cooperation between the public and private sectors is expected to enhance economic integration and achieve greater added value for the national economy.