Saudi Arabia 'won’t accept' Canadian-origin grains in purchase tenders

Saudi Arabia’s main state wheat buying agency has told grains exporters it will no longer accept Canadian-origin grains in its international purchase tenders, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing European traders. The statement from the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) added to an escalating row after Ottawa urged Riyadh to free rights activists. Saudi Arabia has stopped all medical treatment programs in Canada after freezing new trade and investment with Ottawa. The kingdom has also suspended educational exchange programs with Canada and moved Saudi scholarship recipients to other countries. Saudi state airline Saudia said it was suspending flights to and from Toronto.