Jeddah is emerging as a meeting point for the global food industry, as the Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 kicked off on Monday at the Jeddah Superdome.
Held in strategic partnership with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), the two exhibitions bring food and beverage officials, industry specialists, and leading players together to explore the latest developments defining the sector.
Bridging Two Markets
During the exhibition, Italy is bringing both its culinary offerings and industrial expertise to Jeddah, where Consul General Marco Bocchi inaugurated the country’s participation at the two exhibitions.
Remarkably, the Italian delegation features 37 companies, including 17 focused on food and agri-food products and 20 showcasing technologies for manufacturing, packaging, and wrapping.
The Italian presence stands as a testament to the deepening ties between Saudi Arabia and Italy that are increasingly moving beyond trade.
In this context, Ambassador Carlo Baldocci noted that the two countries are exploring opportunities for sustainable, long-term partnerships as bilateral relations take center stage.
Bocchi also highlighted the cultural dimension, underscoring that the participation showcases Italian products and regions while solidifying connections between the two countries through food and hospitality.
What Do the Numbers Show?
More vividly, the growing commercial ties are reflected in trade figures, with Italy’s agri-food and beverage exports to Saudi Arabia approaching SAR2.2 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, marking a 7.7% year-on-year increase.
Across all sectors, bilateral trade reached approximately SAR45.3 billion in 2025, while Italian exports to the Kingdom accounted for around SAR27.8 billion.
A Culinary Milestone
For Italy, Saudi Arabia serves as a key market for expanding its food-sector presence. Simona Autuori, Director of the Italian Trade Agency office for Riyadh and Kuwait, said that the participation of 37 companies reflects an integrated approach spanning the food sector’s wider value chain.
More boldly, the food showcase comes at a crucial moment for Italy’s culinary heritage. Held as part of the annual “Week of Italian Cuisine in the World” initiative, the events came on the heels of UNESCO’s recognition of Italian cuisine through its inclusion on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2025.
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