Saudi authorities urge public to avoid food waste during Ramadan
Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture says large amount of meat ends up in trash during Ramadan and the waste creates challenges for the agricultural sector
The average person in the Kingdom wastes more than 184 kg of food each year, amounting to a total of 4 million tons nationwide, worth $10.7 billionThe average person in the Kingdom wastes more than 184 kg of food each year, amounting to a total of 4 milli
Updated 14 March 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Authorities in Saudi Arabia have called for “rational behavior” when people break their fast during Ramadan, to help reduce the amount of meat that is wasted in the Kingdom during the holy month.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said large quantities of meat end up in landfill and dumps during Ramadan, and this waste creates challenges for the agricultural sector.
Studies have found that the average person in the Kingdom wastes more than 184 kilograms of food each year, amounting to a total of about 4 million tons nationwide. This represents the loss of 18.9 percent of all food, at a cost of more than SR40 billion ($10.7 billion) a year. Experts say one of the main reasons for this is declining public awareness of food waste.
Ministry figures show that 444,000 tons of poultry meat are wasted each year in Saudi Arabia, 22,000 tons of lamb, 13,000 tons of camel meat, 69,000 tons of fish, and 41,000 tons of other kinds of meat.
Officials urged the public to be more aware of the important need to reduce meat waste and to adopt more rational patterns of consumption to address the challenge, help achieve sustainable development goals, and preserve natural resources.
They highlighted the importance of proper planning before buying food, taking into account the number of people to be fed, and of not serving excessive amounts of food in a single meal. It also recommended saving leftovers to use in subsequent meals, or donating uneaten food.
The ministry also said it has introduced several initiatives designed to raise awareness of the issues surrounding food waste and encourage the public to adopt more sustainable consumer behaviors. These include campaigns to educate people about ways to reduce and preserve meat and reduce waste, including through improved storage and refrigeration.
Soundstorm expands Saudi Arabia’s music scene with talent programs, global collaborations
Young people see music as industry with variety of career paths beyond performing, says general manager of MDLBEAST Foundation
Updated 11 December 2025
Afshan Aziz
RIYADH: MDLBEAST is placing sustainability and the growth of Saudi Arabia’s creative economy at the center of Soundstorm 2025, its annual music festival which is taking place until Dec. 13.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Ramadan Alharatani, the CEO of MDLBEAST, said the festival was not just about entertainment, but about creating long-term economic and social value.
He said: “Soundstorm plays a major role in the creative economy by creating jobs, attracting international talent, and giving local artists real opportunities to perform on a large stage.
“We are also investing in long-term programs that support training, production, and creative development beyond the festival weekend.
“This year we are focusing more on accessibility and sustainability. We are improving transportation options, making the site easier to navigate, and introducing better systems for recycling and energy use. Inclusion is also a priority, so we are working on creating spaces and experiences that welcome all types of audiences.”
Looking at the festival’s role in nurturing emerging talent, Alharatani said: “We are continuing to build on programs that help new talent grow.
“Through XP Music Futures, our year-round initiatives under the MDLBEAST Foundation, and partnerships with regional and international labels, we are giving young artists more access to mentorship, training, and performance opportunities.
“We are also supporting new ideas in music tech, sound design, and creative production, so emerging talent can experiment with different forms of expression. These partnerships help us develop the next generation of artists and build a stronger presence in the region.”
Ramadan Alharatani, the CEO of MDLBEAST
This year’s edition of Soundstorm offers audiences more stages, a wider variety of genres, and increased international collaborations.
The festival layout has been redesigned to make it easier for fans to explore areas dedicated to live music, hip-hop, regional talent, and emerging artists, alongside the main stages featuring global performers.
These changes focus on the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s music scene, with local audiences embracing diverse genres, and international artists showing greater interest in performing in the Kingdom.
“Soundstorm has always been a place where these worlds meet, but this year that connection is stronger and more visible,” Alharatani said.
Regarding the future and MDLBEAST’S vision, he said: “Our main priority is growth that feels sustainable and meaningful.
“We want to build more cultural experiences, support more local talent, and expand our presence globally without losing our connection to the region. In the next few years we will continue developing our festivals, expanding our live event calendar, increasing our year-round venue offerings, and investing in talent development.
“The goal is to create long-term value for the music and entertainment scene in Saudi Arabia.”
Building on MDLBEAST’S efforts to expand the Kingdom’s creative ecosystem, Nada Alhelabi, general manager of the MDLBEAST Foundation and founder of XP Music Futures, said the foundation was creating professional pathways for emerging talent.
She said: “This year we are expanding XP’s educational and professional programs to give young people clearer pathways into the music industry. We are introducing more workshops, mentoring sessions, and hands-on training across areas such as sound engineering, event production, artist management, and creative business.
“The aim is to help young talent understand how the industry works and how they can build real careers in it. Alongside our XP Music Futures program we have nine initiatives that the MDLBEAST Foundation works on all year round to develop a sustainable music ecosystem in our region.”
Nada Alhelabi, general manager of the MDLBEAST Foundation and founder of XP Music Futures. (Supplied)
She added that the landscape of creative careers in Saudi Arabia had transformed rapidly, with more venues, festivals, and studios creating a growing demand for skilled professionals.
Alhelabi added: “Young people now see music as a real industry with a variety of career paths beyond performing. XP Music Futures provides a space where talent, executives, startups, and educators can connect, giving young creatives access to industry leaders, hands-on learning, and opportunities to network and exchange ideas.”
On the impact of key programs, Alhelabi said: “This year we saw strong progress across all three programs. Hunna continues to support the development of female talent and leaders, and several participants have already stepped into new roles across production, performance, and creative management.
“XPERFORM (has) helped emerging artists grow their audiences and secure new performance opportunities, and a major milestone this year was our new partnership with Shahid.
“As the region’s leading streaming platform, Shahid is now broadcasting XPERFORM, giving our artists wider visibility and bringing their stories to a much larger audience.
“Sound Futures also supported a new wave of music-tech startups, many of which are now testing or launching their ideas in the market.
“Together, these stories show how year-round support can make a real difference and they highlight how XP is helping shape the next generation of creatives.”
