Gulfood 2018 – A recent survey conducting by the research provider, Nielsen, showed a major shift in the food buying preferences of Saudi consumers which is unlocking huge two-way trade opportunities in the Kingdom.

With Saudi’s domestic food producers receiving a confidence boost for their dairy, snacks, ice-cream, mineral water, tea and coffee production, a host of international suppliers are also reaping rewards from increasing demand for globally-branded baby food, energy drinks and canned foods in the Gulf’s largest market.

As global brands maintain their traditional dominance in the preserved food categories, the survey highlights how Saudi consumers increasingly prefer locally produced dairy and fresh food products.

The survey comes as food producers all around the world, including Saudis, for a major two-pronged trade push at Gulfood 2018, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade event and the year’s first major international food industry trade show. This year’s Saudi participation includes some of the biggest names in the Kingdom and the region including AlMarai, Al Rabie, Al-Watania and SunBulah, as well as many innovative new market entries. The evolving nature of the country’s food sector suggests this level of representation will continue to grow. Most of these brands are already familiar names on supermarket shelves throughout the GCC and certain parts of the Middle East.

Saudi local production is on the rise and there’s been a significant increase in the demand for raw ingredients; the direction outlined in the National Transformation Program 2020 will create expansion and partnership opportunities for overseas suppliers to further consolidate their positions in the most populous country in the region (population is expected to reach just below 35 million by 2020, according to the UN). Further demand is expected to emanate from the planned NEOM megacity, which has food as a key focus. The first phase of the project is due to be delivered in just seven years’ time.

Source: Saudi Gazette