Food & FMCG

The second edition of SaudiFood Manufacturing 2025, the Kingdom’s largest food and beverage (F&B) manufacturing event, officially opened today at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh Front. The event was inaugurated by H.E. Eng. Khalil bin Ibrahim Salamah, Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs, under the patronage of H.E. Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources.

Organized in strategic partnership with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), the three-day event is drawing participation from more than 550 global companies spanning the processing, packaging, and ingredients sectors. The exhibition serves as a key platform to connect global F&B manufacturers and innovators, further reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s growing influence as a regional F&B hub.

Following the official opening, H.E. Eng. Khalil toured various national and international pavilions, where cutting-edge technologies and best practices in F&B manufacturing are being showcased. His Excellency was accompanied by Eng. Majed bin Rafid Al-Argoubi, CEO of MODON.

High-Level Keynotes and Global Insights

The event’s keynote session featured Abdulrahman A. Al-Romaizan, Director of Investment at MODON, who highlighted MODON’s pivotal role in the advancement of the Kingdom’s food industry.

This was followed by a special address from Prof. Henrik von Scheel, renowned strategist and Industry 4.0 originator, marking his first-ever appearance in Saudi Arabia. He spotlighted the transformative megatrends shaping the future of global food manufacturing, stating:
“Within the next two years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be the Gulf Region Food Trade Hub and by 2030, the Financial Food Trade Hub of the SilkRoad.”

Diplomatic Presence and Industry Support

The event attracted several country ambassadors, including representatives from Germany, France, Jordan, and Switzerland, underscoring international support for Saudi Arabia’s vision of strengthening its food security and manufacturing capabilities.

Swiss Ambassador Yasmine Chatila Zwahlen noted, “Saudi Arabia is playing an immensely important role in the future of food manufacturing and food security in the Middle East. It’s inspiring to see Swiss companies contribute to this journey.”

Business Highlights and Award Winners

Notable companies such as Kanoo Machinery were also in attendance, with Ali Abdulla Kanoo, Deputy Chairman of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, affirming the company’s commitment to driving growth in the F&B sector through advanced industrial solutions.

The day concluded with the Saudi Food Manufacturing Awards 2025, celebrating trailblazing innovations in the sector across six categories:

• Sustainability Innovation of the Year: Brenntag – for their plant-based cheese solution with low CO₂ emissions.

• Best Saudi Made Innovation: UCIC – for their sustainable brand ambassador, “Boxy.”

• Digital Transformation Innovation of the Year: Promtek – for their Condor MES & Microman manual weighment system.

• Best Processing Innovation of the Year: Multivac – for the Impressa Bread dough processing solution.

• Best Ingredient Innovation of the Year: Allagro – for their meal replacement drink.

• Best Packaging Innovation of the Year: ULMA – for their Tight-Bag air extraction technology.

The exhibition runs through April 15, 2025, providing an important forum for business networking, technology demonstrations, and strategic deals shaping the future of food manufacturing in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

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