Italian Agri-Food Exports to Saudi Arabia Approach SAR 2.2 Billion as Italy Arrives at The Saudifood Show 2026

 Italy brings 37 companies to Jeddah this week: 17 presenting the full span of Italy’s food and agri-food industry at The Saudifood Show, and 20 showcasing the technology that processes and packages them at the co-located Saudifood Manufacturing 2026.

Italy’s participation is supported by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of Italy in Jeddah, with the ITA Stand located at 12-H1 and 11-H1 inside Jeddah Superdome’s Halls 10, 11 and 12, where both shows run from 27 to 29 September. Italian exports of agricultural products, food and beverages to Saudi Arabia approached SAR 2.2 billion in the first eleven months of 2025, including more than SAR 1.77 billion in food products, an increase of 7.7% compared with the same period in 2024.

That sits inside a far larger relationship: total trade between Italy and Saudi Arabia reached approximately SAR 45.3 billion in 2025, with Italian exports to the Kingdom amounting to around SAR 27.8 billion.

H.E. Carlo Baldocci, Ambassador of Italy to Saudi Arabia, said: “Italy and Saudi Arabia share a relationship that is accelerating, supported by deepening economic ties and a mutual interest in new areas of cooperation. Agri-food is an important part of that story. Italy brings generations of knowledge in food production together with innovation and advanced technology, while Saudi Arabia is building an ambitious food economy of its own. The opportunities ahead lie not only in increasing trade, but in building lasting partnerships between our two countries.”

Marco Bocchi, Consul General of Italy in Jeddah, said: “Food creates connections between people and cultures, and that is particularly meaningful in Jeddah, long a meeting point for trade and cultural exchange. Italy’s presence here gives us an opportunity to introduce visitors not only to Italian products, but to the places and the craftsmanship behind them. The collaboration between Italian and Saudi chefs reflects the affinity between our cultures around food and hospitality.”

At the ITA Stand, that breadth begins with raw materials. Antimo Caputo and Molino Naldoni bring Italy’s long-established milling tradition, with professional flours for pizza, bread, pastry and other uses. Italy’s globally recognized tomato and preserved-food industry is represented by Casalasco Società Agricola, Compagnia Mercantile d’Oltremare, La Doria, Novi and SICA, while ANICAV, the National Association of Vegetable Food Preserving Industries, represents more than 100 Italian processing companies. Crispo represents a confectionery tradition dating back to the nineteenth century; Rizzoli Emanuelli brings more than a century of expertise in preserved seafood; Società Agricola Bertinelli Gianni e Nicola showcases Parmigiano Reggiano from an integrated supply chain dating back generations; and Mangiatorella will present natural mineral water sourced from Southern Italy.

The delegation also covers the infrastructure that takes Italian food to market worldwide. Alifood, Natali Alessandro & Co., MB Consulting and Seaside Foodlink work across international sourcing, commercial development, supply and distribution, while Zilli & Bellini supplies the industrial-scale processing, filling and packaging technology behind Made in Italy.

That expertise speaks to Saudi Arabia’s own build-out of food production and processing, the theme of Saudifood Manufacturing, where the other 20 Italian companies exhibit. The Kingdom’s industrial food and beverage processing machinery market reached approximately SAR 1.02 billion in 2024, growing by more than 50% on the previous year.

Simona Autuori, Italian Trade Commissioner and Director of the Italian Trade Agency in Riyadh and Kuwait, said: “Saudi Arabia is a priority market for Italy’s food and agri-food sector, and the potential ahead of us is substantial. Our participation brings the diversity of the Italian industry directly to Saudi buyers and partners, while helping our companies engage with the opportunities emerging in the Kingdom. The 37 Italian companies joining us across both shows represent different parts of that ecosystem, but they share the same commitment to the quality and provenance behind Made in Italy.”

Beyond the exhibition floor, Italy’s presence turns from trade to table with a three-day program of live cooking and culinary experiences led by Chef Simone Marchi. Chef Marchi, who has led culinary programs for Italian missions abroad, will showcase dishes drawn from Italy’s different regions.

He will be joined by Saudi executive chef, food developer and culinary consultant Bedoor Badr for a one-day session creating a fusion dish that celebrates Italian and Saudi flavors.

The chefs’ collaboration falls during Italy’s Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ flagship initiative celebrating Italian food culture through its diplomatic network; since 2025, missions have been free to schedule it locally, bringing this year’s celebration to Jeddah. It follows a landmark recognition: in December 2025, UNESCO inscribed Italian cuisine on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, joining the Mediterranean diet, inscribed in 2010.

The Saudifood Show 2026 marks the exhibition’s move to Jeddah, bringing international suppliers together with regional buyers. Co-located with Saudifood Manufacturing, it connects ingredients and finished products with the processing and distribution behind them in a single F&B marketplace.

– ENDS –

Word count: 898

About the Italian Trade Agency

The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is the Government agency which promotes the globalization of Italian firms, under the aegis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ITA helps to develop, facilitate and promote Italian economic and trade relations with foreign countries, focusing on the needs of SMEs, their associations and partnerships. ITA sustains Italian firms in their internationalization process, promoting the marketing of Italian goods and services as well as the image of “Made in Italy” products around the world, while facilitating outward Italian investments and encouraging FDI attraction into Italy. ITA provides information, support and consultancy services to Italian companies on foreign markets, in order to foster exports and economic cooperation in all sectors, with the objective of increasing the effectiveness of their presence on international markets. ITA works closely with the Italian Regions, the network of Italian Chambers of Commerce, business organizations and other public and private entities. ITA’s headquarters are based in Rome and it works through a large network of offices around the world which are acknowledged as “Trade Promotion Offices” of the Embassies or Consulates of Italy. https://www.ice.it/en/markets/saudi-arabia