Market Research Report

Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay Market Report Key Takeaways

• The Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay market size was valued at USD 419 million in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 452 million in 2026 to USD 620 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.41% during the forecast period.
• By application, the dairy animal feed segment represented a significant share of about 55% in the Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay Market in 2026.
• By end user, the Cattle segment represented a significant share of about 54% in the Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay Market in 2026.
• The industry is moderately consolidated, with around 20 companies operating in the market. However, the top five players collectively account for nearly 53% share.

Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay Market Size and Outlook

Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay Market size was valued at approximately USD 419 million in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 452 million in 2026 to USD 620 million by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 5.41% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32.

The industry is experiencing steady growth, primarily supported by the rising demand for high-protein livestock feed from the expanding dairy industry. Alfalfa hay plays a crucial role in dairy nutrition because it provides digestible fiber, protein, and essential minerals required to maintain animal health and sustain high milk yields. As the Kingdom continues to strengthen domestic dairy production to enhance food security and reduce reliance on imports, demand for reliable forage feed sources such as alfalfa hay is increasing across major livestock farming regions.

Saudi Arabia’s dairy sector has expanded considerably in recent years, creating a strong foundation for forage consumption. Recent industry statistics indicate that raw milk production from specialized dairy farms reached approximately 2.7 billion liters nationwide in 2024. The Central Region, particularly Riyadh and Qassim, remains the primary dairy production hub, with Riyadh alone accounting for about 1.6 billion liters of raw milk output, the highest among all provinces. This concentration of large commercial dairy farms generates significant demand for nutrient-rich feed inputs, including alfalfa hay, which forms a core component of dairy cattle diets.

Outside the central dairy belt, the Eastern Province, including Dammam, Al Khobar, and Jubail, also plays an important role in the Kingdom’s dairy supply chain. The region contributes a substantial share of national milk production, producing around 1.1 billion liters of raw milk in 2024, supported by several specialized dairy farming projects. The presence of these large livestock operations strengthens demand for forage feed across eastern Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the role of alfalfa hay in sustaining dairy productivity.

At the same time, technological advancements in livestock management and feed formulation are transforming feeding practices in modern Saudi dairy farms. Large commercial farms are increasingly adopting precision livestock technologies, automated feeding systems, and digital monitoring platforms to optimize feed utilization and improve animal productivity. These technologies allow farmers to monitor animal performance, manage feeding schedules, and maintain balanced nutrient intake through scientifically designed feed rations.

For instance, automated feeding robots developed by GEA Group can automatically weigh, mix, and distribute Total Mixed Ration (TMR) for dairy cattle with minimal human intervention. These systems deliver feed multiple times per day, improving feed intake, supporting higher milk yields, and reducing labor requirements in large-scale livestock operations. The adoption of such automation technologies encourages the use of consistent, high-quality forage inputs like alfalfa hay to ensure accurate feed formulation and stable nutritional content.

Overall, the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s dairy sector combined with the growing integration of advanced livestock technologies is expected to strengthen demand for high-quality forage feed in the coming years. As dairy farms continue to modernize and milk production expands across major agricultural regions, the need for nutrient-rich alfalfa hay will remain fundamental to sustaining livestock productivity.

The alfalfa hay market in Saudi Arabia is positioned for continued growth as rising dairy production, regional livestock expansion, and increasing adoption of precision feeding technologies collectively drive the demand for high-quality forage feed. Alfalfa hay will remain a critical component of the country’s livestock nutrition and dairy productivity strategy in the years ahead.

Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay Market Key Indicators

• According to Food Security Statistics 2024 published by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), animal product consumption per capita in Saudi Arabia in 2024 included 70.3 liters of milk, 46.9 kg of poultry meat, 235 table eggs per person annually, and 13.2 kg of red meat. These consumption levels indicate robust domestic demand for livestock products, reinforcing the need for high‑protein feed inputs such as alfalfa hay across dairy, poultry, and meat production sectors .
• Saudi livestock farms, newly installed pellet machines produce 2–3 tons of grass or alfalfa pellets per hour, with diameters of 4–12 mm suitable for cattle and livestock feed. This reflects the growing adoption of processed forage, increasing efficiency in feed distribution, reducing wastage, and supporting rising demand for high-quality alfalfa in commercial operations .
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Saudi Arabia's GDP to expand at 4.7% in 2025, with the agricultural sector contributing USD 31 billion to the economy in 2024 and attracting a targeted USD 70 billion in cumulative agricultural investments by 2030; rising agricultural capitalization directly expands the institutional feed procurement budgets of dairy and livestock operations that are the primary commercial buyers of alfalfa hay in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay Market Scope

Saudi Arabia Alfalfa Hay Market Growth Drivers

Growing Dairy Industry Feed Demand

A key driver of the KSA alfalfa hay market is the rapid expansion of the dairy industry, which directly increases the need for high‑quality livestock feed. According to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia achieved self‑sufficiency in dairy production, with output exceeding 2.6 million tons and a self‑sufficiency rate of 129 %, reflecting strong domestic dairy performance and resilience. Dairy herds including more than 500,000 cows have expanded through adoption of advanced breeding and production technologies to meet local consumption demands .

For example, in 2024, Almarai Company, the region’s largest dairy producer, the company announced a five-year investment plan exceeding USD 4.8 billion for 2024–2028 to expand food production capacity and strengthen supply chains in Saudi Arabia. The program focuses on scaling core dairy and livestock-related operations, improving supply chain capabilities, and supporting the Kingdom’s food-security strategy aligned with national development goals .

Such large-scale investments in livestock production inevitably increase feed requirements. Dairy cattle depend on nutrient-rich forage to maintain high milk yields, and alfalfa hay is widely used due to its protein content and digestible fiber. As leading producers expand herd sizes and production capacity, the demand for reliable forage supply increases correspondingly.

Overall, the continued expansion of dairy infrastructure and livestock production in Saudi Arabia will sustain strong feed demand. As major producers scale operations under long-term investment plans, the requirement for protein-rich forage such as alfalfa hay will rise steadily, reinforcing its role as a fundamental driver of market growth.