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Food Forward Summit
Conference programme held alongside the exhibition, bringing together global experts, thought leaders and decision-makers to explore innovation economics, green solutions, diversification and advanced manufacturing. Covers entrepreneurship, smart factories, investment and technology. Theme: 'Raising the Kingdom's Fast-Growing Food Manufacturing and Processing Sector to New Heights'. Third edition in the Kingdom in 2026.
TawaSul Meetings Programme
Pre-arranged matchmaking programme connecting exhibitors and visitors with the most relevant buyers, suppliers and partners. Designed for high-value, targeted meetings to help participants achieve business objectives and explore new partnerships.
Prof. Henrik von Scheel
Industry 4.0 Originator, Strategist & Futurist
Dr. Maha Tahiri
CEO & Founder, Nutrition Sustainability Strategies
Mathias Behn Bjornhof
Futurist & Founder, ANTICIPATE
Dr. Timothy Graham
CEO, Topian — Aqua Culture Company
Abdulrahman A. Al-Romaizan
Investment Department Director, Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON)
Rania Abou Samra
Vice President of Innovation and R&D, Nestlé MENA
Mark Warner
Co-Founder and CEO, Liberation Labs
Alexander Ward
CEO, Food Future Group
Osama Gamal El Din
General Manager, Nestlé Central Arabia
Tony Meghabghab
Founder & CEO, MEPEQ
Dr. Bryan Tracy
Co-Founder & CEO, Superbrewed Food
Walid Bakr
Head of Strategy & Business Development — Middle East & Africa, Bühler Group
56 companies listed for Saudi Food Manufacturing Expo from 2 countries
Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Results from previous editions — the proof of what exhibitors and visitors can expect. Figures are organiser-reported.
Second edition. Food Forward Summit ran for its second edition in the Kingdom and is positioned by the organizer as setting new benchmarks for the industry. Speakers from MODON, Bühler Group, Nestlé MENA, ADF, Liberation Labs, Food Future Group and Superbrewed Food appeared in the conference programme.
RIYADH: Saudi food exports have grown by approximately 60 percent over the past four years, rising from SR13 billion ($3.4 billion) in 2021 to SR22 billion by the end of last year. (Picked up from Arab News in dmg events' News & Insights section.)
The world's largest meat producer, JBS, plans to double production at its chicken processing facility in Jeddah by the end of 2026. (Picked up from Food Business Middle East & Africa.)
The coastal city of Jeddah is home to the 'Food Cluster', the largest specialized cluster of its kind in the world according to Guinness World Records. (Picked up from Businesswire.)
Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources: Saudi Arabia hosts a robust food manufacturing base, comprising over 1,900 food factories with total investments exceeding SAR 88 billion. (Picked up from Argaam.)
Secure your exhibition space. Compare booth options, pricing, and inclusions below.
$2,300
$256/sqm
Secure your exhibition space and connect with global halal industry buyers.
certification-standards
How halal certification works in Italy, the major Italian certification bodies, and how to choose the right one for the domestic market and for agri-food export.
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events-shows
MIFB runs 15–17 July 2026 at KLCC. A practical buyer's playbook for F&B procurement — pre-event prep, on-site strategy, and how to lock halal-certified suppliers.
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events-shows
Saudi International Halal Expo 2026 runs 4–6 October at RICEC, Riyadh. A practical buyer's playbook — Vision 2030 context, SFDA certification, pre-event prep, and on-site GCC sourcing strategy.
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SaudiFood Manufacturing (SFM) is a B2B trade exhibition for the food and beverage manufacturing, processing, and packaging industry, held annually in Riyadh. Produced by dmg events (the Dubai-based organizer of Gulfood) under the wider Saudi Food Show platform launched in partnership with KAOUN International, SFM positions itself at the center of Saudi Arabia's F&B industrial transformation under Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Strategy. The show convenes global manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, packaging and automation specialists, policymakers and technology pioneers with the Kingdom's 1,900-plus food factories — creating a hub for partnerships, operational growth and supply chain investment in line with Saudi Arabia's ambition to become the financial food trade hub of the Silk Road by 2030.
2021-2025
Rising from SR13 billion ($3.4 billion) in 2021 to SR22 billion by end of 2025
2025
Total investments exceeding SAR 88 billion
2030
Under Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Strategy
Yousuf Saleem
CEO, Al Barakah Dates
Habib Alshammari
Director of Corporate Communications, Agriculture Development Fund (ADF)
Naif M. Al-Duraywish
Partnerships and Products General Department, Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON)
Yousef Alshabnan
Senior Project Manager, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources
Hamed Abdulwahab
Support & Programs Execution Sr. Specialist, Local Content & Government Procurement Authority
Asrar Damdam
Founder & CEO, Uvera Inc.
Abdullah Alotaibi
Founder and CEO, Nabt
Turki Alsabbar
Co-Founder & CEO, La Vanoise
Saeed AlSuwaidi
Founding Executive Director, OneCamel
Natalie Lindo
International Journalist & Event Host
$4,200
$233/sqm
Contact for pricing
Qatar
September 7, 2026 – September 9, 2026
Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC)
Calculated for Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre (Muslim World League method, Shafi'i Asr). These are approximate — confirm with a local mosque or a prayer-times app on the day.
| Day | Fajr | Sunrise | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 5 Sep | 04:18 | 05:36 | 11:52 | 15:20 | 18:08 | 19:20 |
| Sun 6 Sep | 04:19 | 05:36 | 11:52 | 15:20 | 18:07 | 19:19 |
| Mon 7 Sep | 04:19 | 05:36 | 11:51 | 15:20 | 18:06 | 19:18 |
Riyadh, the Saudi capital, is one of the easiest cities in the world for a Muslim traveller: the entire country is Muslim-majority, so all food is halal by default (no pork or alcohol), the call to prayer marks the day, and mosques are everywhere — many shops and restaurants pause briefly during the five daily prayers. A new driverless metro (opened 2024) and the Careem/Uber ride-hailing apps make getting around the sprawling city straightforward.
Getting in
King Khalid International Airport (RUH)
• Careem / Uber — 30-45 min to the centre (easiest and most predictable)
• Airport taxi — 30-50 min (agree the fare or use the meter)
• SAPTCO airport bus — ~45-60 min (cheapest; limited stops)
Getting around
The Riyadh Metro (six driverless lines, opened 2024) plus a city bus network now cover much of the capital; ride-hailing fills the gaps.
The Darb card/app pays for the Riyadh Metro and city buses.
Careem and Uber are the simplest option; the city is large and car-oriented, so factor in distances.
Weather in September
High ~40°C · Low ~27°C
Very hot, dry early autumn.
Light, loose, modest clothing and sun protection; move between air-conditioned spaces during the day.
Visa & entry
Money
Saudi Riyal · SAR
Cards and contactless (mada) are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for souqs.
Tipping is optional; rounding up or ~10% is appreciated for good service.
Connectivity
stc, Mobily and Zain tourist SIMs at RUH arrivals (passport required)
eSIM: Airalo and similar eSIMs cover Saudi Arabia
Plug: Type G (UK 3-pin); some Type A/B sockets · 230V / 60Hz
Emergency
General: 911
Fire: 998
Safety
Most halal-expo buyers and exhibitors travel from the world's main halal hubs. Here's how to connect to Riyadh from each — entry rules vary by nationality, so check the Visa & entry note above.
Karachi
Najdi & Saudi cuisine
citywide · $-$$
halal by default
Kabsa, mandi, jereesh and grilled meats — all halal, as is every restaurant in the Kingdom.
Al Tahlia & Olaya
central Riyadh · $$-$$$
halal by default
Cafés, shawarma and global chains along the main dining strips — no need to check; it is all halal.
Historic Diriyah & souqs
Diriyah / Al Bujairi · $$-$$$
halal by default
Restored mud-brick district with heritage restaurants beside the UNESCO At-Turaif site.
Imam Turki bin Abdullah (Grand) Mosque
Qasr Al-Hokm (old centre)
The capital's grand central mosque, beside the historic Masmak district.
Mosques everywhere
citywide
A mosque is never far in Riyadh; malls, offices and the airport all have prayer halls (musalla).
Note on prayer times
citywide
Many shops and restaurants close for ~20-30 minutes at each of the five daily prayer times — plan errands around them.
Diriyah & At-Turaif (UNESCO)
Diriyah
The restored mud-brick birthplace of the Saudi state — walkable heritage streets (some areas ticketed).
Masmak Fortress & old Riyadh
Qasr Al-Hokm
The clay fortress at the heart of the capital, beside the Deira souq.
Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge
Olaya
Panoramic views over the city from the landmark tower (ticketed).
See the full Riyadh travel guide →
Sources: https://www.visitsaudi.com · https://visa.mofa.gov.sa · https://www.rcrc.gov.sa
Pakistan
