The world is increasingly eating more, and better, and more varied foods, opening up a raft of opportunities for those in the food processing industries. Saudi Arabia, as a country with a scarcity of arable land and even water, faces significant challenges. 

But with clear government strategic ambitions backed up by investment and subsidy support, the country – currently a major importer of processed foods, particularly in meat and poultry, dairy, fruits and confectionary - is set to develop its capabilities, with particular emphasis on dates, dairy and seafood, and an ambition to become a Halal meat hub for the region.

This is a  market at US$47 bn in 2016 and growing 8% pa, with international demand of US$1.68 tn in 2016, growing at 5% pa.