Saudi Food and Saudi Food Manufacturing 2026 open in Jeddah

Saudi Food Show and Saudi Food Manufacturing 2026 opened at Jeddah Super Dome with more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 95 countries. The twin events aim to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s food production, investment, and supply-chain resilience as the Kingdom pushes food security goals under Vision 2030.

Why it matters: - The two shows bring the full food value chain together in one place, from ingredients and processing to packaging, automation, logistics, retail, and foodservice. - Saudi Arabia is using the events to support Vision 2030 goals tied to food security, local manufacturing, investment attraction, and stronger supply chains. - The scale of the market is drawing attention: Saudi Arabia targets $20 billion in food-industry investment by 2035. - Food retail sales reached about $59 billion in 2025, and are expected to grow about 4% in 2026. - The Kingdom imported more than $33 billion in food and agricultural products in 2025, including $17.4 billion in consumer food products.

What happened: - Saudi Food Show 2026 and Saudi Food Manufacturing 2026 officially opened at Jeddah Super Dome on Sept. 27. - The opening was attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah and MODON CEO Majed bin Rafed Al-Argoubi. - The events run through Sept. 29. - MODON is participating as a strategic partner for both events. - More than 1,000 exhibitors from over 95 countries are taking part. - The shows feature more than 100,000 products, technologies, and solutions for buyers, manufacturers, distributors, investors, and policymakers. - More than 35 national pavilions are involved, including participation from Turkey, India, Jordan, the United States, Uzbekistan, Tunisia, and Italy.

The details: - Saudi Arabia’s food packaging market is projected to reach $2.63 billion by 2034, with a 4.08% annual growth rate. - Saudi Food includes major brands such as Almarai, Arla, Lactalis, BRF, Al-Tanmiah, Nadec, Savola, First Mills, Americana, and Seara Food Middle East. - Saudi Food Manufacturing includes Bunge, JBT Marel, Middleby, MULTIVAC, NAPCO, Zamil, ULMA, and Provisur. - The events include a pre-scheduled business matchmaking program called the “Tawasul” meetings program. - Exhibitors and visitors can meet at exhibitor booths or in a dedicated meeting space. - The shows highlight food processing, ingredients, packaging, automation, robotics, cold chain, food safety, and sustainable production. - ULMA Packaging is showcasing digital connectivity and sustainable packaging solutions focused on productivity and waste reduction. - Fortifi brands Provisur, LIMA, and Nothum are presenting processing technologies that can raise output by 30% to 40% in the same operational footprint and reduce frying oil use by up to 33%. - The events also feature award programs covering 14 categories across both shows. - Saudi Food Excellence Awards 2026 cover eight consumer-product categories, including best sauces, seasonings or preserves product; best ready-to-eat product; beverages; dairy; health and wellness; innovative packaging; Made in Saudi products; and snacks. - Saudi Food Manufacturing Innovation Awards 2026 cover six categories, including best AI and smart manufacturing innovation, ingredients, processing, packaging, sustainability company of the year, and best Made in Saudi innovation of the year. - Winners will be announced on the second day of the events.

Between the lines: - Holding both events together signals a more integrated push to connect trade, manufacturing, and technology in Saudi food production. - Jeddah’s role matters because the city acts as a commercial and logistics gateway linking Saudi Arabia with markets across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. - The exhibitor mix suggests the Kingdom is competing to localize more food production while still drawing global suppliers and technology providers. - Corporate participation and award programming point to a market that is trying to reward scale, innovation, and localization at the same time. - Abdullah Ababtain, CEO of First Mills, said the company sees the show as a platform for innovation, food security, and new opportunities across the food value chain. - Faisal Benaamr, CEO of Dora Advanced Development, said the company is using the event to expand partnerships and highlight supply capabilities inside and outside Saudi Arabia.

What's next: - The exhibitions remain open to trade professionals on Sept. 27 and 28 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sept. 29 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Event organizers will announce the awards winners on the second day. - The focus now shifts to whether the event can translate exhibitor momentum into deals, partnerships, and investment commitments.

The bottom line: - Saudi Food 2026 and Saudi Food Manufacturing 2026 are positioning Jeddah as a regional hub for food investment, manufacturing, and supply-chain growth.