Dutch Companies Add Shine to Saudi Agriculture 2024
The 41st edition of Saudi Agriculture, held from October 21-24 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre, featured the largest country pavilion from the Netherlands with over 30 Dutch companies showcasing their cutting-edge solutions and innovations. H.E. Eng. Abdulrahman Al Fadley, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture witnessed the signing of 12 agreements, worth over €200 million on the first day of the exhibition. Dutch companies Delphy, KUBO, MOBA, and Van Aarsen were amongst those honored on stage as part of the companies who signed agreements with Saudi partners.
During the well-visited opening ceremony, minister Al Fadley also announced the launch of a Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security based at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). An MoU was subsequently signed in the presence of minister Al Fadley between Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD) and KAUST, focused on advancing sustainable agriculture in Saudi Arabia.
Events and Activities
This year’s events and activities kicked off with a roadshow event organized by the Saudi AgriFood Tech Alliance (SAFTA) and Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD) focusing on "The Future of Farming" in Saudi Arabia. The event explored how international partnerships can drive Saudi Arabia’s agrifood development. Dutch Experts shared their knowledge on Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), water management, and innovations tailored to the Saudi market.
The Roadshow included an interactive session with trainees of the K2K program funded by the Dutch Government as part of the “PIB project Hortiroad2thegulf” and in cooperation with Estidamah and Topian. Trainees were provided an opportunity to ask leaders of the CEA industry about the future of CEA in Saudi Arabia and how such a market is viewed by the industry leaders.
To amplify Dutch companies reach in the Saudi market, the LAN Team hosted its annual networking event just before the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition kicked off. This lively gathering brought together all the key players; government officials, industry leaders, and potential business partners. It was the perfect setting for Dutch innovators to show off their latest technologies and build important relationships. By bringing everyone together, the LAN Team made sure that Dutch companies had every chance to shine and forge valuable partnerships.
Dutch Delegation and Collaborations
Dutch companies have expressed satisfaction with the quality of attendees and the advanced level of technologies showcased at the exhibition. The exhibition provided an ideal platform for Dutch innovators to connect with key stakeholders and demonstrate their cutting-edge solutions tailored to the region's unique agricultural challenges. Their goal: to deepen Saudi-Dutch collaborations and bring food security closer to reality.
Over the past 41 editions of Saudi Agriculture, the Dutch-Saudi partnership has thrived, built on innovation and sustainability. From pioneering advanced agriculture to smart water management, Dutch expertise has played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s agricultural progress.
More information
For more information, kindly reach out to the Embassy’s Agriculture & Food team via RIY-LVVN@minbuza.nl.