Saudi Arabia Alfalfa - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The saudi arabia alfalfa market was valued at USD 420 million in 2025 and is forecast to grow from USD 453.68 million in 2026 to USD 667.27 million by 2031, at a CAGR of 8.02% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2031. This report is Segmented by Product Type (Bales, Pellets, and More), Application (Dairy Cattle Feed, Beef Cattle Feed, and More), by End Use Sector (Commercial Farms, Compound Feed Manufacturers, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Metric Tons).

Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Market Trends and Insights

Expansion of Commercial Dairy Herds and Forage Intensity

Saudi Arabia's commercial dairy sector remains the largest source of alfalfa demand in the country. Almarai reported 189,000 dairy cows in 2025 across its 8 integrated dairy farms, while National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC) is another large-scale buyer with dairy and livestock operations that keep forage procurement central to feed planning. Once perennial forage cultivation is fully removed from commercial farming, these operators must rely on imports, overseas farmland, or contracted supply networks rather than domestic sources. This shift ties dairy feed demand closely to international alfalfa availability, making herd scale a direct driver of the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market. It also supports longer contracting cycles, as high-output dairy operations cannot tolerate disruptions in forage quality or delivery timing.

Rising Camel and Equine Feed Demand for Premium Forage

Camel and equine demand adds a distinct premium layer to the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market that differs from standard dairy procurement. According to the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia's camel population reached 2.24 million head in 2024, confirming the size of the addressable base for premium forage products in this segment. According to data from the Spanish Association of Dehydrated Alfalfa Manufacturers (AEFA), Spanish exporters reported strong Saudi demand for dehydrated alfalfa pellets and other premium formats in 2025, including 38,608 metric tons of pellets, indicating sustained demand from quality-conscious and specification-driven buyers. Tabuk Agricultural Development Company (TADCO) positions its alfalfa products on feed quality parameters that align with high-performance livestock applications, reinforcing the market preference for reliable fiber characteristics over bulk volume. As a result, premium demand growth in the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market is linked to quality assurance, handling performance, and lower spoilage risk in hot climate storage.

Water Stress and Irrigation Limits for Domestic Forage Production

Water stress remains the most significant structural constraint on the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) noted that Saudi Arabia formally restricted alfalfa seed imports and domestic production, confirming that a commercial-scale local recovery is not a near-term option. As a result, supply shortages cannot be addressed by expanding local acreage when imported volumes become expensive or delayed. Water policy has therefore transformed what was once a domestic production base into a long-term import dependency for the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Import Reliance on High-Quality Baled Forage
• Feed Security Priorities for Large Integrated Livestock Operators
• Freight Cost Volatility on Long-Haul Imported Hay and Pellets

Segment Analysis

Bales account for 46.3% of the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market share in 2025, indicating that long-stem forage remains central to commercial feeding programs. This position reflects large dairy buyers’ continued preference for field-cut products that support rumen function and reliable intake behavior. TADCO markets its alfalfa based on quality characteristics aligned with high-performance dairy applications, supporting the view that bale demand remains closely tied to nutritional outcomes rather than handling convenience alone. Spanish Association of Dehydrated Alfalfa Manufacturers (AEFA) also reported that Saudi Arabia absorbed 121,122 metric tons of Spanish dehydrated alfalfa bales during the 2024/25 campaign, confirming the scale of bale procurement directed to the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market.

Pellets are forecast to record the fastest product growth, with a CAGR of 10.3% from 2026 to 2031, as they improve freight efficiency and reduce handling losses. Spain supplied 84% of that pellet value, indicating that the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market relies on a narrow supplier base for processed products. Cubes and compressed bales remain smaller niches, but they serve premium camel, equine, and retail channels, where ease of handling and lower storage losses matter more than scale. The product mix is therefore shifting gradually, although bales retain a structural advantage in the Saudi Arabia alfalfa market because dairy remains the largest demand center.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Product Type
  • Bales
  • Pellets
  • Cubes
  • Compressed Bales
• By Application
  • Dairy Cattle Feed
  • Beef Cattle Feed
  • Poultry Feed
  • Equine Feed
  • Small Ruminant Feed
  • Camelids and Other Livestock Feed
• By End Use Sector
  • Commercial Farms
  • Compound Feed Manufacturers
  • Household and Hobby Animal Owners
  • Pet Food and Specialty Nutrition

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Al Dahra ACX Global Inc.
• Alfeed
• Alfalfa Monegros S.L.
• Border Valley Trading, LLC
• Bailey Farms International, LLC
• Cubeit Hay Company LLC
• Almarai Company S.A.J.
• National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC)
• Grupo Oses Agroalimentaria S.L. (NAFOSA S.A.)
• Tabuk Agricultural Development Company (TADCO)
• Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Company

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support