- Food industry modernization for self-sufficiency and diversification
- Vietnam visit to boost investments, technology, and cooperation
- Clusters in Jeddah and Al-Kharj support local production and exports
The food sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a substantial strategic transformation under the Saudi Vision 2030, which considers food a key contributor to sustainable development, national security, and economic diversification.
The National Industrial Strategy, under the vision, identifies food manufacturing as a sector of focus in achieving self-sufficiency, addressing food security, and making the Kingdom a regional and global center for food production. Saudi Arabia Vietnam cooperation is strengthening through new agriculture partnership Saudi Vietnam initiatives aimed at boosting food security Saudi Arabia.
To support these priorities, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef travelled to Vietnam to promote international industrial collaboration, invite strategic investments, and further develop food manufacturing. These efforts are expected to deepen Vietnam Saudi trade ties and enhance bilateral economic ties across key sectors.
Throughout the visit, Alkhorayef began conversations with two of the largest food companies in Vietnam—Masan Group and Vinafood II—to lay foundations for potential long-term investment and industrial collaboration while sharing best-practice from around the world in food manufacturing process.
Also Read: China, Malaysia Discuss Rare Earths Refinery Joint Venture
In discussions with Masan Group during the visit, where they started an integrated systems approach with respect to canned foods, beverages, and chilled meat products, the different models of localization in food production in Saudi Arabia were elucidated and a potential opportunity for product development for future regional markets, while considering export capabilities more broadly across the Middle Eastern and African continents. The discussions also covered logistics efficiency, new production lines, and plans for future expansion.
At Vinafood II, one of the world's largest exporters of rice, the minister discussed collaboration on grain logistics, integrated cold chain solutions, and knowledge transfer to develop advanced rice storage and mill operations in Saudi Arabia.
These efforts showcase Saudi Arabia's standing as the largest food market in the Middle East and a world re-export center. The Kingdom is establishing food industries clusters such as the Food Industries Cluster in Jeddah and a dairy cluster in Al-Kharj that have world-class infrastructure and logistics for the use of local manufacturing and distribution to growing export markets.
The food industry was estimated to be worth SAR154 billion in 2019, with projections for SAR214 billion value by 2030. Saudi Arabia is continuing to build global partnerships and build local production and food security to further build the value of the food industry and work towards sustainability and growing its regional and international footprint.