Saudi Minister of Environment Inaugurates Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2026, Witnesses Signing of Agreements to Support Sector Sustainability

His Excellency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, inaugurated the 43rd edition of the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2026, held under the theme “An Integrated Agricultural Ecosystem for a Sustainable Future” from 19 to 22 October at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The exhibition brought together a wide range of local and international participants, including government entities, private-sector companies, decision-makers, investors and industry professionals. The event aims to strengthen the role of the agricultural sector in the Kingdom and contribute to achieving food security, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Board of Riyadh Exhibitions Company, emphasized that the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition’s continued success over more than four decades reflects its international standing as a leading platform that brings together local and international expertise and promotes partnerships and innovation in agriculture and food production.

He explained that this year’s edition highlights the latest solutions and technologies designed to increase productivity, improve resource-use efficiency and strengthen food security. These innovations also enhance the sector’s ability to address environmental and climate challenges while supporting its development and long-term sustainability.

During his tour of the exhibition, the Minister visited pavilions representing a wide range of sectors, including agricultural and organic food, poultry, livestock, milling, feed and animal health, as well as aquaculture, food processing and packaging, innovation and entrepreneurship, and veterinary services.

The Minister also witnessed the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding between government and semi-government entities, private-sector organizations and international agricultural companies. These agreements aim to support the food and agriculture sectors, drive economic growth and encourage the adoption of modern technologies in agricultural production.

Saudi Agricultural Sector Records 5% Growth in 2025

Mr. Saleh Abdulmohsen bin Dukhail, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, explained that coordinated efforts between the Ministry and its private-sector partners had contributed to the growth of the agricultural sector, which accounted for 3% of Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025. The sector recorded 5% growth compared with 2024.

This progress has been reflected in higher self-sufficiency rates across several agricultural products, exceeding 100% for dates, milk and eggs, and reaching more than 80% in the poultry sector. Aquaculture also recorded 20% growth, with production approaching 200,000 tons.

He added that this growth has been accompanied by continued efforts to empower producers and stimulate investment. Financing provided by the Agricultural Development Fund exceeded SAR 6.5 billion in 2025.

Bin Dukhail also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening food security and improving agricultural production efficiency in line with the objectives of the National Agriculture Strategy, while ensuring the optimal and sustainable use of natural resources.

The Ministry has implemented several innovative initiatives based on the use of reclaimed water. The recently launched “Lemon City” project was cited as an example of this approach.

Data has also become a fundamental pillar in agricultural sector development, helping improve planning and decision-making. In this regard, the Ministry launched the Agricultural Indicators Center to monitor agricultural production data, assess the availability of strategic crops, measure domestic consumption, and track the sector’s performance against its targets.

Saudi International Conference on the Future of Agriculture

Alongside the exhibition, the Saudi International Conference on the Future of Agriculture brought together leading experts and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad to discuss key issues related to agricultural technologies and food security.

The conference explored emerging opportunities in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector, agricultural initiatives, advanced technologies and their contribution to food security. Discussions also covered agriculture and climate change, project financing, biotechnology, soil science and water management.

For more than 40 years, the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition has kept pace with developments in agriculture, food production and related technologies, serving professionals and stakeholders across the agricultural sector.

The 2026 edition continues this legacy by highlighting innovative solutions that support agricultural development, strengthen food security and advance the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.