Riyadh Hosts ’SaudiFood Manufacturing 2025′

The second edition of the ‘SaudiFood Manufacturing’ exhibition has kicked off at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh Front, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a regional leader in the F&B industry.

Held in strategic partnership with MODON, the exhibition is scheduled to run until April 15, 2025. The event is gathering the global F&B community to forge fruitful business connections.

Under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, His Excellency Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs, H.E Eng. Khalil bin Ibrahim Salamah, inaugurated the second edition. The event also saw the presence of His Excellency Eng. Majed bin Rafid Al-Argoubi, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON).

The exhibition included the pavilions of several national and international companies. More than 550 global players are taking part from across the processing, packaging and ingredients sectors.

It also features the latest developments and innovative technologies in the food and beverage manufacturing sector, along with international experts and specialists to explore the best practices and opportunities for the industry growth.

Abdulrahman A. Al-Romaizan, Investment Department Director of Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), presented the first keynote speech, highlighting the organization’s role in shaping the future of the food sector.

Prof. Henrik von Scheel, Industry 4.0 Originator, Strategist & Futurist, shed light on the megatrends set to transform the next decade of F&B manufacturing, stressing that, “Within the next two years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be the Gulf Region Food Trade Hub and by 2030 Financial Food Trade Hub of the SilkRoad. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a rare opportunity to lead the Bio Revolution. In all other seven evolutions, they were the consumer.”

The show floor provided visitors with wonderful opportunity to learn about industry trends, network, forge new connections, make strategic deals and see new innovations first hand.

Ambassadors from various countries including Germany, France, Jordan, Switzerland, and many more, have attended the event, reflecting their full support in facilitating stronger trade ties with the Kingdom.

Among the attendees was Yasmine Chatila Zwahlen, the Swiss Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who stressed the Kingdom’s potential to emerge as a leader in food manufacturing.

Kanoo Machinery was a key exhibitor at the event. Ali Abdulla Kanoo, Deputy Chairman, and Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, President of Kanoo Industrial & Energy, see the event as an important platform to drive growth in the F&B sector.

The first day also announced the winners of the SaudiFood Manufacturing Awards, recognizing innovative products and technologies that enhance productivity, provide greater convenience, and foster sustainability within the F&B manufacturing sector. The awards were organized in six categories.

Brenntag secured the Sustainability Innovation of the Year Award for their cutting-edge ingredient-solution to produce soft spreadable plant-based cheese with Low C02 emission. UCIC won best Saudi Made Innovation for their sustainable brand ambassador (Boxy) for promoting eco-friendly packaging.

Promtek won Digital Transformation Innovation of the Year for their Condor Manufacturing Execution System & Microman, an advanced manual weighment tracking system. Multivac secured Best Processing Innovation of the year for their dough processing solution Impressa Bread.

Allagro received Best Ingredient Innovation of the Year award for their meal replacement drink. ULMA won Best Packaging Innovation for their Tight-Bag, a sustainable air extraction technology for optimized packaging.