At Almarai, we firmly believe that investing time, financial resources and efforts into our local communities not only empowers individuals, but also fosters the socioeconomic development of the region, ultimately driving our organizational growth. We are committed to being an active participant in the community, stimulating economic progress within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and addressing the social challenges that affect our neighborhoods. In line with this commitment, we have donated a total of 544,704 products in the GCC. Our contributions include snacks provided to 431 schools, totaling 359,746 servings for school children. Additionally, we have supported 100 low-income families with food baskets, donated to 82 charities and provided 184,776 servings of product donations to various charitable organizations.
In 2024, we spent a total of 48.92 million on CSR projects in the GCC.
This significant investment underscores our dedication to fostering sustainable development and empowering local communities across the region.
We recognize our responsibility to support the local communities in which we operate, as this is a vital component of Almarai’s sustainability strategy, encapsulated under the banner of “Caring for People.” In line with this commitment, we have intensified our community engagement efforts this year by launching new initiatives, either independently or in collaboration with local organizations. These initiatives encompass a wide range of activities, including educational programs, training and development opportunities, investments, charitable contributions, sponsorships, and various other outreach efforts.
Our efforts are also aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, reflecting our dedication to aligning with the socio-economic vision of the kingdom by creating a lasting legacy where our growth is shared with those around us.
To enhance our community investment efforts and ensure effective management of our initiatives, Almarai has established a strategic investment framework. This framework outlines our key focus areas for our initiatives, which includes Training and Development, Healthcare, Sports and Donations and Sponsorships. It serves as a guiding principle for how we aim to fulfil its community investment commitments. Moving forward, we will leverage this framework to measure the outcomes of our initiatives, enabling us to track progress and refine our strategies in the years to come. This commitment to accountability and continuous improvement will ensure that our investments yield meaningful benefits for the communities we serve.
We support selected projects, organizations and events that develop skills, promote education, reward educational excellence and empower young people.
We support selected projects, organizations and campaigns that promote healthy eating and lifestyle choices and raise awareness on health issues.
We support selected projects, organizations and events that promote sports.
We support selected projects, organizations, events and campaigns dedicated to creating a lasting impact in our communities through both financial and non-financial support.
At Almarai, we direct our efforts toward initiatives that resonate with our strategic pillars. Each year, we proudly sponsor and support nearly 400 charitable organizations that are making a difference across our strategic pillars. We invest in our communities by allocating resources and collaborating with partners. Through these partnerships, we amplify our impact, ensuring that our efforts are both effective and sustainable.
Almarai is committed to the education sector and has been actively supporting initiatives such as training and rehabilitation programs. Our focus is on increasing localized job opportunities in the food and beverage sector in Saudi Arabia. We are also dedicated to empowering the next generation of females by creating more development opportunities, including the inclusion of women in the HSS committee as fire marshals and first aiders.
Almarai signed a strategic agreement with the Saudi Logistics Academy to facilitate the training and qualification of a new cohort of Saudi youth for employment in the supply chain and logistics services sector. This agreement was signed during the graduation event for the inaugural batch of trainees from the academy, attended by key government officials. This initiative is part of the company's efforts to localize the food industries sector, which is a key priority in Almarai's strategic plans.
Under the slogan "Nationalization as a Strategic Goal," Almarai organized its annual Nationalization Ceremony, where several agreements were signed with various educational institutions and organizations. These agreements aim to train and qualify Saudi youth for the labor market in the food and beverage industry through Almarai’s training and employment programs.
Almarai showcased its commitment to youth employment during the "Career Week" event organized by Imam Muhammad bin Saud University. The event attracted over 2,000 graduates, where Almarai's booth provided insights into the company's role in supporting food security in the Kingdom. Almarai representatives discussed the company's expansion plans and the benefits of joining Almarai, which is recognized as one of the best working environments in the region.
At Almarai, we are dedicated to supporting health initiatives that empower individuals to lead longer, healthier lives. In 2024, we continued our commitment by sponsoring various health programs for our staff and communities, as well as organizing impactful events and awareness campaigns.
Almarai has signed a MoC with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to launch the “Baby Milk Products Discount” initiative, aimed at supporting children of social security beneficiaries from newborns to two years old. Set to begin on October 1, 2024, this initiative, in collaboration with Al-Dawaa Pharmacies, reflects Almarai's commitment to social responsibility and enhancing community well-being.
Mr. Munther bin Mahmoud Tayeb from Almarai emphasized the importance of community investment, while Mr. Fahad Alfarraj from Al-Dawaa highlighted the initiative's alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. Almarai, which established the first Saudi factory for baby milk production in 2011, meets 70% of market needs with an annual capacity of 20,000 tons, adhering to strict health standards.
In a commitment to community investment, Almarai signed MoU with the “Asma’ak” Cochlear Implant Association. The agreement was formalized by Mr. Abdulrahman Al Huwifadh, Public Relations Manager at Almarai, and Mr. Fahad Al-Subaie, Executive Director of the “Asma’ak” Association
Mr. Al Huwifadh highlighted that this MoU is part of Almarai’s social responsibility program, aimed at fostering social solidarity by supporting the association’s initiatives. Mr. Al-Subaie expressed his gratitude for the partnership, recognizing Almarai as a leader in community engagement within the Kingdom. He affirmed that the agreement will facilitate the implementation of various programs to benefit the “Asma’ak” community through a strategic partnership with a prominent player in the food and beverage sector.
Almarai proudly sponsored the "Step Towards Your Peace of Mind" event organized by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU). This event aims to raise awareness about mental health through a series of sports activities held at the University's athletic track. Almarai’s involvement in this initiative is part of its comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, which emphasizes the promotion of sports and health initiatives.
Almarai recognizes the importance of sports in promoting wellbeing, inclusion and positive impacts on human health. Our goal is to foster the development and skill enhancement of young and junior athletes, encourage community engagement in walking culture, facilitate the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities and nurture athletic talents. We aim to enhance the quality of life for all individuals, increase their involvement in community sports activities and elevate them to become sports icons at both local and international levels.
Almarai sponsored the 3rd international conference of the College of Applied Medical Sciences, titled “The Future of Health Care and Improving Healthy Lifespan,” held in Riyadh under the patronage of the Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Directors of King Saud University. This sponsorship is part of Almarai's corporate social responsibility program, aimed at supporting events that raise community awareness about the importance of health care, including the critical link between physical activity and overall health.
Almarai Company sponsored the Arab Badminton Championship for Youth and Generals 2024, which was organized by the Saudi Badminton Federation and was concluded recently and hosted by the city of Riyadh with the participation of 15 countries and 100 male and female players.
Almarai’s sponsorship of the Arab Youth Badminton Championship came within its corporate social responsibility program and out of its belief in the importance of sport in promoting well-being, inclusion, and a positive impact on human health
Almarai, the Middle East’s leading food and beverage company, has entered into a sponsorship agreement with the Saudi Hiking Trails Association (DARB) for the “Takhfa” hiking trail initiative. This initiative aligns with Almarai’s commitment to enhance community life by investing in local activities and promoting ecotourism through developing natural trails to help residents and visitors discover the cultural and historical attractions in the Kingdom.
At Almarai, we are committed to enhancing community wellbeing through our donations and sponsorship initiatives. In 2024, we continued to support various charitable organizations and events that contribute to the betterment of society, fostering community development and promoting a culture of giving back. Our efforts are focused on making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families across the Kingdom.
Almarai organized two blood donation campaigns for our employees, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a culture of voluntary donation. In collaboration with Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh, these initiatives aim to save lives and benefit both citizens and residents. Our dedication to community service is reflected in our support for over 1,500 partners across the Kingdom.
Almarai organized its annual charity iftar for the Ensan Charity Committee for Orphans Care in Riyadh, in collaboration with the DoubleTree by Hilton Garden Inn. During the iftar ceremony, financial gifts were distributed to 40 children from the Ensan Association and souvenir photos were taken.
Almarai has signed a sponsorship agreement with the non-profit Maker Association to support the "Saudi 1" team representing the association in the VEX Robotics Competition in Houston, Texas. This sponsorship is part of Almarai's strategic plan to support Saudi teams from charitable associations participating in international innovation and robotics competitions.
At Almarai, we are committed to support nature and biodiversity as an important way to address climate change, protect the environment and communities and the future of our business. To fulfil this commitment, we allocate a portion of our community investment funds to support various environmental protection initiatives. One of our core initiatives is to ensure the health and welfare of the animals in our care. We do this by upholding our Animal Welfare Policy, which is designed to meet internationally recognized standards. This policy is a fundamental aspect of our operations and reflects our dedication to ethical practices as a prominent leader in the food and beverage sector. By prioritizing animal welfare, we are not only ensuring the humane treatment of animals, but also reinforcing our reputation for quality and responsibility within the industry.
We also recognize the importance of tree planting as a vital strategy for enhancing and preserving biodiversity. We have undertaken extensive tree planting initiatives, incorporating a variety of species to enrich local ecosystem. We have taken advantage of our reach and scale to participate in national efforts that aim to restore degraded ecosystems. In collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, we actively supported to plant millions of trees, contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 ambitions. We have been involved in the "Let’s Make it Green Initiative," through substantial financial contributions and active participation.
Goal/Target
Progress
Donate 2.5 million healthy servings by 2025
Educate 250,000 people through our site visit program by 2025
Improve the employability of at least 1,400 young people through the Food Industries Polytechnic (FIP) program by 2025