October 9, 2010
Saudi Agri 2010, Saudi Agro-Food 2010, the biggest business-to-business agriculture and agro-food events in the Middle East held recently at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Saudi Arabia, have jointly attracted over 24,000 visitors from all over the world and generated SAR billions worth of projects and business deals in Saudi Arabia. Held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Fahd Abdulrahman Balghunaim, Saudi Minister of Agriculture, the concurrent exhibitions also included the Saudi Food-Pack 2010, the International Exhibition for Food Processing and Packaging.
The trade exhibitions also collectively gathered over 300 local and international exhibitors from 27 countries that showcased their latest products, technologies and innovations. Riyadh Exhibitions Company, organiser of the concurrent exhibitions, disclosed that the success of the event reaffirmed the strategic importance of such trade exhibitions in facilitating trade activities in the agriculture and agro-food sectors of Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Al Hussaini, Deputy General Manager, Riyadh Exhibitions Company, said: "The high-level attendance and the overall success of this year's exhibitions reaffirm the strategic importance of these trade events in cultivating the growth of agriculture and agro-food businesses in Saudi Arabia, while promoting trade activities with related industries. We will continue to develop creative ideas and introduce innovations that will create greater value for all participants and enable Saudi Agri and Saudi Agro-Food to reach out to a much wider market segment."
Saudi Agriculture 2010 – The 29th International Agriculture, Water & Agri-Industry Show serves as the Middle East’s main networking platform for regional and international producers, exporters, agents and distributors in the agriculture industry. Saudi Agro-Food 2009 – The 16th International Trade Show for Food Products, Processing and Packaging Technologies, provides a platform to showcase the latest products, technologies and services in areas ranging from frozen and chilled foods, confectionery and health and natural foods. Saudi Food Pack 2010 – The International Exhibition for Food Processing and Packaging, showcases the latest food processing and packaging technologies.
Commenting on their successful participation in this edition of Saudi Agriculture, Oscar Gordilho Nobrega, representative of the Brazilian delegation at Saudi Agriculture 2010, said, “This is the third time we are participating in the event, this time with 11 companies at our pavilion. All the exhibitors that were part of our pavilion were satisfied with the visitor interest generated and they were able to establish contacts with developers, which they believe will translate into business relations. Next year we plan to have an even bigger presence at the show.”
“Moreover, Saudi Arabia holds tremendous market potential for agribusiness, especially for Brazilian companies. Around 50 per cent of imports of agro products from Brazil to KSA constitute poultry, at an estimated value of USD 800 million. This is followed by raw sugar imports at a value of around USD 171 million,” he added.
The more than 300 exhibitors at the event came from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Netherlands, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA and Saudi Arabia.
