The Saudifood Show 2026 and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 opened at the Jeddah Superdome with extensive local and international participation, bringing together food producers, technology providers, suppliers, buyers, and industry specialists. Held in strategic partnership with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), the exhibitions ran from September 27 to 29 and provided an integrated platform covering the food and beverage value chain, from products and ingredients to processing, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution.
The exhibitions also featured live cooking demonstrations by chefs from Saudi Arabia and abroad, giving visitors practical insights into culinary techniques, ingredient selection, dish preparation, and professional kitchen practices.
One of the highlights was a joint demonstration by Saudi executive chef, food developer, and culinary consultant Bedoor Badr and Italian chef Simone Marchi. The presentation combined Saudi and Italian flavors, showcasing similarities between the two culinary traditions and exploring ways to bring their ingredients and techniques together in new dishes.
Marchi has led culinary programs for Italian diplomatic missions abroad and prepared dishes inspired by different Italian regions as part of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World. The live demonstrations formed part of the exhibitions’ accompanying program and presented food as a means of cultural exchange and communication.
The activities also sought to deepen visitors’ understanding of traditional dishes as expressions of cultural identity. By combining modern culinary techniques with traditional ingredients and methods, they encouraged cross-cultural interaction while preserving the distinctive character of each cuisine.
Italy’s Broad Participation
Italy’s participation in the exhibitions was inaugurated by Marco Bocchi, Italy’s Consul General in Jeddah. The delegation included 37 Italian companies: 17 showcasing food and agri-food products and 20 presenting technologies and solutions for food manufacturing, processing, packaging, and wrapping.
Supported by the Italian Trade Agency in cooperation with the Italian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah, the participation highlighted growing opportunities for Saudi-Italian cooperation in the food and beverage sector.
Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci said the two countries’ relations were developing rapidly, driven by stronger economic ties and a shared interest in opening new areas of cooperation. He noted that the agri-food sector was an important component of this relationship and that future opportunities extended beyond expanding trade to building sustainable, long-term partnerships.
Bocchi said the Italian participation allowed visitors to explore Italian products and the regions from which they originate, while highlighting similarities between Saudi and Italian cultures in food and hospitality. He added that food helps build bridges between peoples and cultures, a role that is especially significant in Jeddah, which has long been a hub for trade and cultural exchange.
Trade, Investment Opportunities
Italy’s exports of agricultural products, food, and beverages to Saudi Arabia approached 2.2 billion riyals during the first 11 months of 2025. Food products accounted for more than 1.77 billion riyals, an increase of 7.7% compared with the same period in 2024.
Total trade between Italy and Saudi Arabia reached approximately 45.3 billion riyals in 2025, while Italian exports to the Kingdom stood at around 27.8 billion riyals, underscoring the expanding scope of commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The Italian exhibitors represented a broad range of industries, including grain milling and flour production, tomatoes and preserved foods, confectionery, seafood, cheese, mineral water, supply and distribution, and food-processing, packaging, and wrapping technologies.
Simona Autori, Italian Trade Commissioner and Director of the Italian Trade Agency offices in Riyadh and Kuwait, said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents a priority market for Italy, and we see significant potential for growth and cooperation.” She added that the participation of 37 Italian companies reflected an integrated ecosystem covering the various stages of the food sector and enabling Italian businesses to connect with Saudi buyers and partners.
Food as Cultural Bridge
The culinary program was held as part of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, an annual initiative organized by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It followed UNESCO’s inclusion of Italian cuisine on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2025.
By combining live cooking demonstrations with displays of food products and industrial technologies, the two exhibitions presented food as both an economic sector and a platform for cultural exchange. Visitors explored Saudi and Italian culinary traditions, while industry professionals examined opportunities for partnerships, investment, manufacturing, and distribution.
The Saudifood Show’s move to Jeddah, alongside the simultaneous staging of Saudifood Manufacturing, strengthened the exhibitions’ role as a meeting point for international suppliers and buyers from Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Together, the events connected food products and ingredients with the technologies used to process, manufacture, package, and distribute them, supporting further cooperation and investment across the food and beverage sector.
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