Mr Qadi estimated the total output of the country's 536 farms at 525,000 tons, according to Arab News.com. He put annual per capita consumption of chicken in the Kingdom at 42 kg and eggs at 120. Al-Eqtisad magazine of Asharqiya Chamber said Saudi poultry farms have been meeting about 70 percent of the local demand.

The Kingdom's poultry industry has a bright future, Mr Qadi said. "We are using modern systems and technologies which enable Saudi producers to enter world markets and compete with others. We hope our farms would shortly be able to achieve self-sufficiency in broiler chickens," he said.

He urged investors in the poultry industry to strengthen their production capabilities to face foreign competition. He also urged them to coordinate with the society and support it to achieve its objectives. He also commended the government's support for poultry farmers.

"The state has been supporting poultry farms by providing loans and supporting projects. The Agricultural Development Fund has given more than SR1 billion in soft loans to poultry projects," he said, emphasizing the need to change some regulations to strengthen the industry.

Mr Qadi said the society was established in 2000 and is registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs. It represents all poultry farmers in the country and works to protect and develop the industry. "Our association provides technical assistance and marketing information to its members. It also helps investors to implement joint ventures," he said.

Mr Qadi said the Kingdom has achieved self-sufficiency in eggs with the production of more than 35 billion eggs annually, in addition to the production of 600 million chickens annually.

Faqeeh Poultry Farms, owned by Abdul Rahman Faqeeh and established in 1965, is one of the largest poultry producers in Saudi Arabia. Faqeeh Poultry intends to invest more than SR3 billion to boost production over the next five years. "The farm has developed a five-year plan to boost its daily production to one million broiler chickens and three million table eggs. The plan also aims at creating 6,000 employment opportunities at the farm," said Abdul Rahman Faqeeh, founder and owner of the farm.

"The SR3 billion development plan includes launching new farms, chicken feed factories, model abattoirs and a vast logistic system for the prompt supply of goods to consumers across the Kingdom," Mr Faqeeh said. The entrepreneur, who has been in the poultry business over the past 60 years, said the plan has been laid in response to the sharp rise in demand for poultry products.