Saudifood Show, Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 open in Jeddah

The Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 exhibitions opened at the Jeddah Superdome on Monday, bringing together local and international companies, officials and industry specialists from across the food and beverage sector, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Held in strategic partnership with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), the two exhibitions are being staged together in Jeddah, creating a combined platform covering food products, ingredients, manufacturing technologies, packaging and related solutions.

Italy has established a significant presence at this year’s events, with 37 Italian companies participating across the two exhibitions.

Italy’s Consul General in Jeddah Marco Bocchi inaugurated the country’s participation, with 17 companies showcasing food and agri-food products and another 20 presenting technologies and solutions for food manufacturing, packaging and wrapping, SPA reported.

Italy highlights growing Saudi trade ties

Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci said relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia were deepening rapidly, with opportunities extending beyond trade towards sustainable, long-term partnerships.

Bocchi said Italy’s participation also provides visitors with an opportunity to discover Italian products and regions while highlighting cultural connections between the two countries, particularly in food and hospitality.

According to trade figures cited by SPA, Italian agri-food and beverage exports to Saudi Arabia approached SAR2.2 billion during the first 11 months of 2025, representing an increase of 7.7% year-on-year.

Overall bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and Italy reached approximately SAR45.3 billion in 2025, while Italian exports to the Kingdom stood at around SAR27.8 billion.

Simona Autuori, director of the Italian Trade Agency office for Riyadh and Kuwait, described Saudi Arabia as a priority market for Italy and said the participation of 37 companies represented an integrated Italian presence across the food sector’s value chain.

Saudifood Show moves to Jeddah

The Saudifood Show 2026 has moved to Jeddah and is being held alongside Saudifood Manufacturing 2026, bringing food products and industrial technologies under one platform.

Italy’s participation also comes as part of its annual “Week of Italian Cuisine in the World” initiative, following the inclusion of Italian cuisine on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2025.

The exhibitions provide food producers, manufacturers, technology companies and industry professionals with a platform to explore business opportunities and developments across Saudi Arabia’s expanding food and beverage industry.