RIYADH – Saudi Agriculture 2012 and Saudi Agro-Food 2012, the biggest business-to-business agriculture and agro-food events in the Middle East, held recently at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, have jointly attracted over 24,000 visitors from all over the world and generated billion riyals worth of projects and business deals in Saudi Arabia – a manifestation of the high value placed on food sustainability. Held under the patronage of Fahd Abdulrahman Balghunaim, Saudi Minister of Agriculture, the exhibitions also included the Saudi Food-Pack 2012, the International Exhibition for Food Processing and Packaging. The trade exhibitions also collectively gathered over 400 local and international exhibitors from 23 countries that showcased their latest products, technologies and innovations. Riyadh Exhibitions Company, organizer 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. Saudi Agriculture 2012 covered all aspects of agriculture and food industries from cultivation, to management, production, packaging and distribution, in addition to a dedicated section for organic farming. In its 31st year as one of the fastest growing industry events in the region, Saudi Agriculture was 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 scope and includes 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, among others. – SG
