The Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2023, held from October 23 to 26, welcomed over 410 exhibiting companies from more than 40 nations.
The Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2023, held from October 23 to 26, welcomed over 410 exhibiting companies from more than 40 nations. Agreements exceeding SR3 billion ($800 million) were sealed during a four-day convergence centered on food and agriculture in Riyadh. The event encompassed three specialized exhibitions, spotlighting food packaging, agri-food, and aquaculture respectively.
During the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2023, 16 agreements and three memorandums of understanding were inked, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. This milestone 40th edition of the exhibition boasted the highest attendance in its history, drawing entrepreneurs, industrialists, and local, regional, and international experts, alongside wholesalers, exporters, importers, and other stakeholders.
The signed MoUs represent a crucial stride towards advancing agricultural development, stimulating investment in this vital sector, and bolstering self-sufficiency, food security, and diversified income sources in line with the goals outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The Netherlands commanded the largest national pavilion, showcasing Dutch proficiency in areas such as greenhouse agriculture, smart farming, and irrigation systems. The exhibition also featured representation from China, India, Thailand, as well as Spain, Turkey, and Georgia.
Agricultural advancements on display included technologies for incubators and nurseries, vertical and hydroponic farming, and industry-specific robots.
According to the SPA report, “Visitors expressed great admiration for the various activities of the exhibition, where specialized workshops were presented with the participation of experts and specialists from various countries of the world, in dialogue sessions and workshops that dealt with vital areas related to modern agricultural industries, systems and practices, in addition to discussing ways to achieve food security and sustainability.”
Enhancing food security remains a paramount priority for Saudi Arabia. Ahmed Osilan, the Managing Director and Executive Board Member at Tanmiah Food Co., emphasized that the Kingdom is on the brink of breakthroughs in vital crop production, potentially opening new trade avenues. Corn and soybeans, essential for poultry feed, are a key focus, poised to bolster the Kingdom’s hatching egg industry.
“We’re one step away from achieving the highest level of food security,” he remarked.