¥Saudi Arabia has heavily
subsidized wheat production and as a result has been self-sufficient for more than 20 years
¥Used oil-drilling technology
to tap a non-replenishable aquifer to irrigate the desert
¥In early 2008, announced the
aquifer was largely depleted and wheat production would be phased out entirely by 2016
¥Will be importing nearly all
the grain needed to feed its 30 million people