RIYADH – Saudi Arabia's food market has been estimated to reach a value of $16 billion, with the Halal food market alone valued at around $6 billion. Driven by the huge growth potential of the Saudi food market, the Kingdom continues to attract leading food manufacturers worldwide as evident in the upcoming Saudi Agriculture 2012, which reported a substantial 22 percent increase in the number of international exhibitors from different countries. “The Kingdom's $16 billion food market continues to attract the attention of leading local and international food manufacturers as we are poised to stage the biggest edition of Saudi Agriculture yet. We have prepared more than 15,000 square meters of exhibition space for over 300 exhibitors from all over the world. For the past 31 years Saudi Agriculture has achieved unparalleled success as the premier networking platform for all key industry players. The huge increase in participation this year serves to reaffirm the event's status as a major driving force in the sustained growth of KSA's food industry,” said Khalid Daou, Project Manager of Saudi Agriculture in Riyadh Exhibitions Company. Saudi Agriculture 2012, the 31st International Agriculture, Water and Agro-Industry Show, set on Sept. 24-27, 2012 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, will showcase the latest and best solutions and techniques to help the Saudi government achieve food security and self-sufficiency. Organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, Saudi Agriculture has confirmed the participation of more than 400 exhibitors from 23 countries including Denmark, Kuwait, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, and UK. Prominent local and regional food companies are likewise attending the event, led by Fakieh Poultry Farms and ARASCO, which will be the diamond sponsors of Saudi Agriculture 2012. The event will also be held concurrently with Saudi Agro-Food 2012, the 19th International Trade Show for Food Products; and Saudi Food-Pack 2012, the 2nd International Exhibition for Food Processing and Packaging. Saudi Agriculture 2012 will cover all aspects of agriculture and food industries from cultivation, to management, production, packaging and distribution. Now on its 31st year as one of the fastest growing industry events in the region, Saudi Agriculture will be held concurrently with Saudi Agro-Food and Saudi Food-Pack to feature 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. Accredited by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, the show has a wide range of scope that include animal health and production, agricultural financing, agricultural products and services, chemicals and fertilizers, cold storage, dairy farming products and equipment, fish farming, greenhouses, handling and transport systems, irrigation and landscaping equipment, organic farming, packaging systems and products, pesticides, pumps and pipe systems, seeds and soil nutrition products, spraying machinery, water treatment, water management systems, and warehousing, etc. – SG
