The Region's Largest Food & Beverage Market is Open for Business

-Record number of exhibitors expected for FoodEx Saudi 2014 following inaugural success of Saudi Arabia’s key F&B exhibition-

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: As the Middle East’s largest economy and population, accounting for 64 percent of the GCC’s total food consumption, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presents unmatched business and trade opportunities for the food and beverage (F&B) sector. Currently worth over USD $50 billion and expected to grow by 9% percent by 2017, the market is driven by a combination of double digit population growth and a robust oil-based economy.

An efficient, effective and convenient route to entering the F&B market in the Kingdom is through Foodex Saudi 2014, an industry exhibition organised by Reed Sunaidi that enjoyed overwhelming success when it launched in 2013. Having secured more than $30 million in business deals for its 300 pioneering brands in the show’s inaugural year, this year’s event is expected to attract many more exhibitors and even greater business opportunities.  Taking place from 17th – 20th November 2014 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events with over 10,000m² exhibition space allocated to Foodex Saudi 2014, the organisers are expecting sellout success well before the show.

Simon Blazeby, Head of Exhibitions for Reed Sunaidi, said:  “Foodex Saudi enjoyed great success last year, both in terms of business written for our exhibitors and also because more than 10,200 visitors visited the show. Over 300 brands were showcased last year, many of whom have become show ambassadors for us this year thanks to the success they enjoyed.

“There is no doubt that the KSA market holds exceptional potential for F&B companies around the world, and exhibitors benefit immediately from Reed Sunaidi’s reach and expertise in doing business in this burgeoning market.”

Following its success last year, the show will once again run its Hosted Buyer Programme (HBP) to facilitate valuable introductions and business contacts between customers and exhibitors.  More than 200 buyers are expected to participate this year.

Also taking place alongside Foodex Saudi is the Saudi Food Forum, a key industry conference that will focus this year on market trends in food distribution and hospitality, as well as the critical issues of wastage, food security and food safety. Experts and authorities from the Kingdom and around the world are expected to attend.

With the hospitality industry in the Kingdom developing at an exceptional rate, a new feature at this year’s Foodex Saudi is expected to attract strong interest. Organised to recognise culinary talent and skill, the Saudi Chef Competition will pit celebrity chefs against locally-based chefs to find the finest cooks in the Kingdom.

Foodex Saudi 2014 will run from 17th – 20th November 2014 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events.  The exhibition is targeted at business and trade visitors from within the industry, but it will also house a dedicated consumer area to enable clients to offer product activations and demonstrations to end-users. For more information on exhibiting your product / service or visiting the event, please visit www.foodexsaudi.com