Saudi Agriculture, the Kingdom’s largest business-to-business and agro-food event and one of the largest agriculture expos in the Middle East, opened in Riyadh.

The 30th edition of the expo was inaugurated by Walid Bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, the director general of Saudi Arabia’s Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization on Monday and will run until September 22.

Saudi Agriculture 2011 is showcasing the latest and the best in agricultural products, services and equipment, said the organisers, Riyadh Exhibitions Company.

The event features various manufacturers and specialists from the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Asia in addition to local companies, it added.

'For the past three decades, Saudi Agriculture has served as a leading platform for unveiling new and advanced ways of raising efficiencies across the local agriculture and food sectors in step with a fast-paced modern world,' remarked Mohamad Al Hussain, deputy general manager, Riyadh Exhibitions Company.

With Saudi considered the Gulf’s largest economy, Riyadh provides the perfect setting for this event being home for the majority of decision makers, as well as easily reachable from most of the main agriculture areas as Al Qassim, Al Kharj and Hael that is considered the largest local agriculture market, the official said.

'Saudi promises major opportunities for regional and global organizations planning on tapping this huge and affluent food and agriculture market,' he added.

The expo is being held under the patronage of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Agriculture Dr Fahd bin Abdulrahman Balghunaim.

Also running alongside Saudi Agriculture 2011 is Saudi Agro-Food 2011 which features the latest products, technologies and services in areas ranging from frozen and chilled foods, confectionery, chocolates, health and natural foods, to presentation, processing and packaging equipment.-TradeArabia News Service