Saudi Food Show 2024 Doubles In Scale, Promising Unprecedented Growth

The Saudi Food Show, the largest F&B sourcing event in Saudi Arabia, is set to begin tomorrow at Riyadh Front. With the Saudi F&B industry poised for significant growth, this year's show promises to be even bigger and better than before. Organized by KAOUN International and dmg events, the second edition of the show will feature over 1,000 exhibitors from 97 countries, showcasing more than 100,000 product innovations. The event will run from 21 to 23 May and has the continued support of Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources. The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) is the strategic partner for the show.

Last year's inaugural edition of the Saudi Food Show was a tremendous success, paving the way for its expansion this year. Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, expressed her excitement for the event, stating that it will bring together the largest international F&B community to explore trade opportunities and foster innovation and collaboration in Saudi Arabia.

The opening of the Saudi Food Summit will be marked by a visionary keynote address from His Excellency Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef. As part of the summit, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the role of technology in enhancing food production efficiency, Saudi Arabia's investment in human capital development in the F&B sector, and the impact of fintech on the industry's financial landscape. The first day of the summit will be curated by MODON, highlighting the organization's commitment to the localization of the food and beverage industry and its contribution to food security in the Kingdom.

Ali Alomeir, VP of Business Development at MODON, emphasized the importance of the F&B sector in diversifying the national economy and increasing the non-oil sector's contribution to the GDP. He also highlighted MODON's efforts to create an investment-friendly environment and provide industrial, logistical, and digital capabilities to support the growth of the sector. Currently, MODON's 36 industrial cities house over 6,400 factories with an investment value exceeding SAR 415 billion.

The second and third days of the Saudi Food Show will feature keynote addresses, panel sessions, and workshops by leaders from the public and private sectors. These sessions will provide valuable insights on how businesses can capitalize on the opportunities presented by the Saudi F&B market and thrive in the Kingdom. One of the key brands taking part in the summit is Panda, the largest grocery retailer in Saudi Arabia. Bandar AlSaidi, Executive Vice President – Food at Panda Retail, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting local businesses and community empowerment.

The final day of the show will introduce a new workshop series called Saudifoodpreneur. These workshops and business support clinics, conducted by industry experts and successful entrepreneurs, aim to help F&B start-ups and entrepreneurs navigate the Saudi Arabian market and succeed in the vibrant F&B scene. The workshops will be curated by Homegrown CPG, Pitch Lounge, and Marketing Strategizer.In addition to the summit and workshops, the Saudi Food Show will feature the Top Table Saudi, which will bring together international and regional celebrity chefs, top restaurants, and hotels.

The event will showcase renowned chefs such as Simon Rogan, Fatih Tutak, Maroun Chedid, Ian Pengelley, Mona Mosly, Sami Tamimi, Layla Fathallah, Luca Rossie, Barry Andrews, Marc Coetzee, Steve Gibbs, and Roy De Castro. The teams from Fairmont, Four Seasons, Hilton, and Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh will also participate in YouthX Saudi, raising awareness about food waste in partnership with the UN Environment Programme.

The second edition of the Saudi Food Show promises to be a significant event for the F&B industry in Saudi Arabia. With its impressive lineup of exhibitors, speakers, and workshops, the show will provide valuable insights and opportunities for businesses to thrive in the Kingdom's growing F&B market.