A high number of international brands from around the globe are expected to participate at the Foodex Saudi 6th edition, to be held later this year in Saudi Arabia, in a bid to attract influential Saudi food importers, distributors, and investors.

The event will take place from November 12 to 15, at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events.

The previous exhibition, which saw participation from over 600 companies, was inaugurated by Prince Abdullah Bin Saud, chairman of the Tourism and Entertainment Committee at the Jeddah Chamber for Commerce. Prince Abdullah said that the wide participation of European, Asian, and Arab countries proves the event's importance and high demand for diversity in the local food market, said a statement.

According to recent statistics, the kingdom imports about 70 per cent of its food and spends about SR87 billion ($23.19 billion) annually (CDSI).

Haya Al-Sunaidi, chairwoman of Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions, noted that there was a remarkable European participation from such countries as Spain, Italy, England, France, Portugal, and Greece, offering advanced and high quality products.

Foodex Saudi provides the perfect business and trade platform for international exhibitors competing to have their share in the Saudi market.

Al-Sunaidi pointed out that year after year, the exhibition is growing significantly, which helps to establish the prominent position of Saudi Arabia as one of the largest and promising markets in the world, as well as to raise the level of aspirations in the upcoming edition

Al-Sunaidi noted the "Salon Culinaire" competition with saw participation of 158 chefs from different countries in 16 professional sections, representing the most famous restaurants and hotels in the Kingdom and supervised by World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), Saudi Arabian Chefs Table Circle (SACTC), as well as Saudi Arabian Chef Association (SARCA).

Mazin Batterjee, vice president of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, said: “Every year, I visit this exhibition to find out about new products and to network with international and local suppliers.”

“I am glad to see that the exhibition is growing fast in terms of the number of exhibitors and partners. There is a continuous demand in the Saudi market for high quality products and the event helps to provide the variety we are looking for,” Batterjee added.

The exhibitors and guests from the previous event are pleased by the results and are looking forward to come back this year, it said.

Tomas Llistosella, export manager at Frit Ravich, Spain, said: “We think that the visitors are professional. They are looking for specific products. I'm quite satisfied with the event.”

Speaking about last year’s event, Khalid Baassiri, general manager at Alpha Trading and Shipping Agencies – Saudi Arabia, said: “Last year was the fifth time attending the event. Every year the show is getting better in terms of the quality of exhibitors and visitors.”

“The number of visitors is increasing year after year. Our main goal as a leading food trade company in Saudi Arabia is to meet with international suppliers and build partnerships,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has the largest food market in the Gulf and the Middle East, boasting with strong economic and consumer power, according to the recent data from Central Department of Statistics.

Fast food market exceeds SR5 billion ($1.33 billion) a year with the retail sales growing by 66 per cent fuelled by a large number of new hypermarkets and food markets. Food and beverage imports are expected to increase up to SR130 billion ($34.66 billion) by 2020, comparing to current SR80 billion ($21.33 billion), it stated. – TradeArabia News Service