The Saudi Food Show 2025, the Kingdom’s Premier F&B Event, Kicks Off in Riyadh

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 12, 2025: The Saudi Food Show 2025, the Kingdom's leading platform for global food trade and innovation, officially opened today at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Riyadh Front. The event was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, accompanied by H.E. Eng. Majed bin Rafid Al-Argoubi, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), along with distinguished guests.

Organized by KAOUN International and dmg events, and held in strategic partnership with MODON, the show runs until Wednesday and has drawn over 1,300 exhibitors from around the globe. It aims to drive the growth of the Kingdom’s food and beverage industry and attract high-level investment.

SAR 600+ Million in Contracts Signed on Day One

The opening day witnessed the signing of food industry and logistics investment agreements totaling more than SAR 600 million, with companies like Kudu and Yousef Abdul Latif Jameel Group among those finalizing deals—demonstrating the sector’s importance to Saudi Arabia’s economy.

Saudi Food Summit Highlights Kingdom’s Strategic Goals

Speaking at the Saudi Food Summit, Eng. Majed bin Rafid Al-Argoubi emphasized the critical role of the food industry in national development. He underscored Saudi Arabia’s efforts to localize food production, strengthen food security, and enhance supply chains, with a focus on research, development, and innovation. He also noted that MODON now hosts over 1,400 food manufacturing facilities spread across 12 million square meters, collectively creating more than 90,000 jobs.

Ministerial Panel Addresses Food Safety and Manufacturing

A special ministerial panel brought together:

• H.E. Eng. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Salem, President of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu,

• H.E. Dr. Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, and

• H.E. Dr. Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).

The panel discussed food safety, the rapid expansion of local food manufacturing, and the Kingdom's emergence as a global food production hub, with over 1,000 food factories now in operation, ranging from startups to major high-tech producers.

Global Diplomatic Support and Strategic Collaboration

The exhibition drew numerous international ambassadors, including those from New Zealand, Malaysia, and Italy, signaling strong global interest in expanding food trade with Saudi Arabia.

Charles Kingston, Ambassador of New Zealand to Saudi Arabia, highlighted New Zealand’s strength in producing high-quality, sustainable food and expressed keen interest in contributing to Saudi Arabia’s food security goals through product exports and partnerships.

Carlo Baldocci, Italy’s Ambassador to the Kingdom, emphasized the importance of the Saudi Food Show in strengthening bilateral ties. He noted that the food sector represents a key area for cooperation, with the exhibition marking a new chapter in Saudi-Italian collaboration.

Exhibition Halls Showcase Global F&B Innovation

Visitors explored six expansive exhibition halls showcasing hundreds of thousands of products from leading international brands. Exhibitors engaged in product launches, live culinary demonstrations, and commercial negotiations, making the event a dynamic platform for innovation and business development.

Show Details

The Saudi Food Show 2025 continues through Wednesday, open daily from 2 PM to 10 PM, and is exclusively for trade professionals. Tickets and additional details are available at www.saudifoodshow.com.

About KAOUN International
KAOUN International is a fully owned subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), established to manage and organize events globally. Known for organizing Gulfood and Gulfood Manufacturing, KAOUN’s mission is to "Create Limitless Connections" across industries. The company drives economic growth and innovation through events across food, technology, hospitality, and more in the MENASA region.

About dmg events
Founded in 1989, dmg events is a global events company and subsidiary of Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT). With a presence in over 20 countries, organizing more than 90 events annually across sectors like construction, hospitality, energy, coatings, food, and more, dmg events connects over 425,000 attendees each year. Flagship events include Big 5 Global, ADIPEC, Gastech, and The Saudi Food Show. For more information, visit www.dmgevents.com.