Saudi food trade shows set for joint debut in Jeddah

The Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing will co-locate in Jeddah from Sept. 27-29, bringing more than 1,000 exhibitors and 25,000 industry professionals together as Saudi Arabia pushes to build a more self-sufficient food ecosystem. The event pair is designed to connect global suppliers, local manufacturers and buyers across retail, wholesale and food service.

Why it matters: - Saudi Arabia is using the joint shows to deepen its food, manufacturing and trade ecosystem under Vision 2030. - The event is meant to link production, supply chains and buyers in one place, which could speed sourcing, investment and local production. - More than 187.5 billion SAR has been invested in food security, industrial development, logistics infrastructure and production capacity.

What happened: - The Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing will be held together for the first time in Jeddah from Sept. 27-29, 2026. - The events are organized in strategic partnership with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, known as MODON. - First Mills and Durrah Advanced are confirmed as gold sponsors of The Saudifood Show. - The shows will take place at the Jeddah Superdome.

The details: - Organizers expect more than 1,000 exhibitors, more than 25,000 visitors and participants from 50 countries. - The event platform spans food and beverage manufacturing, ingredients, processing, packaging, production technology, logistics, supply chain solutions, retail, wholesale and food service. - The Saudifood Show will connect international suppliers with retail, wholesale and food service buyers. - Saudifood Manufacturing will connect manufacturers with technology providers, ingredient suppliers, processing solutions, packaging innovation and supply-chain partners. - 80% of exhibitors are coming from outside Saudi Arabia, and 55% are first-time participants. - Exhibitors at The Saudifood Show include Almarai, Arla, Lactalis, BRF, Tanmiah, NADEC, Savola, First Mills, Americana and Seara Food Middle East, part of JBS. - Saudifood Manufacturing will feature Bunge, JBT Marel, Middleby, MULTIVAC, NAPCO, Zamil, ULMA and Provisur. - The most represented countries in the international pavilions are Turkey, India, Jordan, the United States, Uzbekistan, Tunisia and Italy. - New pavilions will represent Uzbekistan, Slovakia, Sri Lanka's tea sector, Pakistan through TDAP, Brazilian Beef through ABIEC and Japan through JETRO. - Uzbekistan, Slovakia, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong will appear for the first time as exhibiting markets. - More information is available from dmg events.

Between the lines: - Moving the shows to Jeddah signals a push to tap a major trade and logistics hub with direct access to international shipping routes and regional markets. - Jeddah handles about 75% of Saudi Arabia's maritime trade, making the city a practical gateway for importers, exporters and industrial buyers. - The joint format suggests Saudi Arabia wants to collapse the distance between global supply and local production, instead of treating food trade and food manufacturing as separate markets.

What's next: - The shows are positioned to create new business leads, sourcing deals and industrial partnerships during the three-day run. - Organizers expect the Jeddah edition to support the next phase of growth in Saudi Arabia's food economy. - The event will also provide direct access to public-sector and industry stakeholders aligned with Vision 2030.

The bottom line: - Saudi Arabia is turning Jeddah into a food industry trade hub, with the aim of linking global suppliers to local manufacturing and regional demand.