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.”