The Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 opened today at the Jeddah Superdome, in the presence of H.E. Eng. Khalil bin Salamah, Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs, and Eng. Majed Alargoubi, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON). The co-located events run until 29 September.
Organisers position the shows against the Kingdom's Vision 2030 push to strengthen food security, expand local manufacturing and attract investment into the sector. According to figures shared by the organisers, Saudi Arabia is targeting USD 20 billion in food industry investment by 2035. Food retail sales are reported to have reached around USD 59 billion in 2025, with growth of roughly 4% forecast for 2026. The Kingdom is also said to have imported more than USD 33 billion in food and agricultural products last year, including USD 17.4 billion in consumer-oriented food products. The organisers separately cite a projection that Saudi Arabia's food packaging market will reach USD 2.63 billion by 2034.
More than 1,000 exhibitors from over 95 countries are taking part, showing more than 100,000 products, technologies and solutions across the F&B value chain, from ingredients, processing, packaging and automation through to sourcing, distribution, retail and foodservice. More than 35 national pavilions are represented, with strong participation reported from Türkiye, India, Jordan, the United States, Uzbekistan, Tunisia and Italy.
Exhibitors at the Saudifood Show include Almarai, Arla, Lactalis, BRF, Tanmiah, NADEC, Savola, First Mills, Americana and Seara Food Middle East. Saudifood Manufacturing brings together companies including Bunge, JBT Marel, Middleby, MULTIVAC, NAPCO, Zamil, ULMA and Provisur.Eng. Abdullah Ababtain, CEO of First Mills, said the Kingdom's food sector is "at a pivotal stage of development, driven by rising demand, growing local capabilities, and the ambitious Vision 2030." He described First Mills, the Gold Sponsor of the Saudifood Show, as a key part of the country's food security ecosystem through its flour, feed, bran and wheat derivative production across four mills in Jeddah, Qassim, Tabuk and Al-Ahsa.
Fayçal Benameur, CEO of Durrah Advanced Development Co, also a Gold Sponsor, said the company's participation reflects its commitment to strengthening the Kingdom's food industry in line with Vision 2030. He pointed to Durrah's Yanbu refinery, which he said has capacity to process 2,500 tonnes of refined white sugar a day, supplying customers across Saudi Arabia and exporting to four continents. Benameur said the company has since expanded into a wider food business under its Al Bayt brand, covering sugar, rice, edible oil and tea.
Arabian Mills and Snackland are Silver Sponsors of the Saudifood Show, while ITEC holds the Silver Sponsor role for Saudifood Manufacturing.
Alongside the exhibition floor, the shows run the Tawasul Meetings Programme, a matchmaking initiative giving exhibitors and buyers pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings at stands and in a dedicated meeting space.
On the manufacturing side, exhibitors are presenting technology aimed at processing, packaging and production efficiency. ULMA Packaging is showing digital and sustainable packaging systems aimed at improving productivity and cutting waste. Fortifi, whose brands include Provisur, LIMA and Nothum, says its processing technology can deliver 30 to 40% higher output within the same footprint and cut frying-oil consumption by up to 33%, according to the company.
Two award programmes run across the three days. The Saudifood Excellence Awards cover eight consumer-product categories, including Best Sauce, Condiment or Preserve and Best Ready-to-Eat Product, alongside categories for beverages, dairy, health and wellness, packaging, Saudi-made products and snacks. The Saudifood Manufacturing Innovation Awards cover six categories, including Best AI & Smart Manufacturing Innovation, ingredients, packaging, processing, sustainability and Made in Saudi innovation. Winners are due to be announced on the second day of the show.
Organisers describe Jeddah's selection as a reflection of the city's role as a logistics and trade hub connecting Saudi Arabia with markets across the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
The shows are open to trade professionals from 1pm to 8pm on 27 and 28 September, and from 1pm to 7pm on 29 September, at the Jeddah Superdome.