The Saudi food market reached a value of $25.6 billion in recent years. Annual per capita food consumption exceeds 1,200 kilograms, the highest rate in the Gulf region. This analysis details the production, investment, and consumption patterns defining the sector.
Key Takeaways
- The Saudi food market size reached USD 25.6 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 6.8% CAGR to 2030.
- Almarai invested SAR 5 billion in 2023 for dairy expansion.
- Saudi Arabia's food production index grew by 3.2% in 2022, driven by enhanced irrigation techniques in arid regions.
- Saudi Arabia imported USD 15.2 billion worth of food products in 2022, mainly from EU and Brazil.
- Food market projected to reach USD 38 billion by 2028 at 7.2% CAGR.
Saudi Arabia’s food industry is growing fast as rising demand drives production and investment across the sector.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption27 stats
01
The Saudi food market size reached USD 25.6 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 6.8% CAGR to 2030.
02
Per capita food consumption in Saudi Arabia was 1,200 kg in 2022, highest in GCC region.
03
Packaged food sales hit USD 12 billion in 2023, with snacks at 25% share.
04
Dairy consumption volume was 250 kg per capita in 2022, led by fresh milk.
05
Poultry meat consumption reached 55 kg per capita in 2023, up 5% YoY.
06
Soft drinks market value was USD 3.2 billion in 2022, with PepsiCo holding 40%.
07
Bakery products consumption totaled 120 kg per capita in 2023.
08
Confectionery sales volume hit 150,000 tons in 2022, chocolate at 60%.
09
Ready-to-eat meals market grew to USD 1.5 billion in 2023, CAGR 8%.
10
Fruit juice consumption was 25 liters per capita in 2022.
11
Edible oils consumption reached 28 kg per capita in 2023, palm oil dominant.
12
Frozen food sales value was USD 2.1 billion in 2022.
13
Organic food market size hit USD 450 million in 2023, growing 12% annually.
14
Halal-certified food consumption covers 100% of market, valued at USD 20 billion in 2022.
15
Energy drinks consumption rose to 8 liters per capita in 2023.
16
Processed meat products sales were USD 1.8 billion in 2022.
17
Yogurt consumption volume stood at 40 kg per capita in 2023.
18
Instant noodles market value reached USD 300 million in 2022.
19
Plant-based food sales grew 15% to USD 200 million in 2023.
20
Ice cream consumption was 12 liters per capita in 2022.
21
Canned food market size was USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
22
Bread consumption totaled 90 kg per capita annually in 2022.
23
Functional beverages market hit USD 500 million in 2023.
24
Cheese consumption reached 15 kg per capita in 2022.
25
Snacks market value was USD 2.5 billion in 2023, chips leading.
26
Pasta consumption volume hit 12 kg per capita in 2022.
27
Baby food market size reached USD 400 million in 2023.
Interpretation
Consumption Interpretation
The Saudi appetite is colossal, constantly hungry, and unapologetically modern—marching toward a $25.6 billion future fueled by mountains of chicken, rivers of milk, a kingdom-sized bag of chips, and a side of surprisingly swift organic and plant-based growth.
02 · Category
Investments20 stats
01
Almarai invested SAR 5 billion in 2023 for dairy expansion.
02
Savola Group allocated USD 1.2 billion for food processing plants in 2022.
03
PIF invested SAR 2.5 billion in agriculture tech startups in 2023.
04
National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC) expanded with SAR 1 billion in 2022.
05
FDI in food sector reached USD 800 million in 2023, 15% YoY growth.
06
Tanmiah Foods raised SAR 750 million via IPO in 2022 for poultry.
07
Vision 2030 allocated SAR 20 billion for food security projects by 2025.
08
Aqua Ventures invested USD 300 million in aquaculture farms in 2023.
09
Desert Farms secured SAR 500 million for camel dairy in 2022.
10
SFIC invested USD 400 million in greenhouse tech in 2023.
11
Private equity deals in food industry totaled USD 1.5 billion in 2022.
12
Panda Retail expanded with SAR 2 billion food chain investments in 2023.
13
Baladna Qatar partnered with SAR 1 billion for dairy imports/processing in 2022.
14
Rise invested USD 200 million in plant-based foods in 2023.
15
FMCG sector attracted SAR 10 billion local investments in 2022.
16
Nuepla raised SAR 300 million for sustainable packaging in food in 2023.
17
Agtech startups received USD 150 million VC funding in 2022.
18
Saudi Coffee Company invested SAR 800 million in roasting plants 2023.
19
Halal Food Council certified 500 new exporters with SAR 200 million support in 2022.
20
Modern Mills invested SAR 1.5 billion in flour mills expansion 2023.
Interpretation
Investments Interpretation
While the nation's massive financial appetite may be focused on everything from giga-projects to glitzy tourism, this cascade of capital into dairy, dates, and decaffeinated beans reveals that Saudi Arabia's most serious business is ensuring its own pantry is future-proofed and full.
03 · Category
Production30 stats
01
Saudi Arabia's food production index grew by 3.2% in 2022, driven by enhanced irrigation techniques in arid regions.
02
In 2023, wheat production in Saudi Arabia reached 1.6 million metric tons, up from 1.4 million in 2022 due to improved hybrid seeds.
03
Date production totaled 1.5 million metric tons in 2021, accounting for 17% of global supply from 32 million palm trees.
04
Poultry meat production hit 1.2 million tons in 2022, with Almarai leading at 450,000 tons annually.
05
Milk production volume was 2.8 billion liters in 2022, supported by 1.2 million dairy cows across modern farms.
06
Vegetable production increased to 4.1 million tons in 2023, with tomatoes leading at 1.2 million tons via hydroponics.
07
Saudi Arabia harvested 450,000 tons of barley in 2022 for animal feed, reducing import dependency by 15%.
08
Fruit production reached 3.2 million tons in 2021, including 800,000 tons of citrus from Al-Ahsa region.
09
Egg production stood at 4.5 billion units in 2022, with a per capita consumption of 165 eggs.
10
Red meat production from livestock was 320,000 tons in 2023, primarily sheep and goats in Najd areas.
11
Aquaculture output grew to 25,000 tons in 2022, focusing on seabass and shrimp in Red Sea farms.
12
Olive oil production hit 12,000 tons in 2023 from 10 million trees, aiming for self-sufficiency.
13
Honey production from apiaries reached 8,000 tons in 2022, with Sidr honey as premium export.
14
Saffron cultivation expanded to 500 hectares in 2023, yielding 150 kg annually in Taif.
15
Greenhouse vegetable output was 2.5 million tons in 2022, using desert-controlled environment agriculture.
16
Maize production for feed reached 120,000 tons in 2023, supplemented by local biotech varieties.
17
Almond production began at 5,000 tons in 2022 from new orchards in Riyadh region.
18
Quail and rabbit meat production totaled 15,000 tons in 2023 for niche markets.
19
Medicinal herb production like black seed reached 10,000 tons in 2022.
20
Potato output was 650,000 tons in 2023, with Hofuf as key hub.
21
Onion production stood at 450,000 tons in 2022, reducing imports by 20%.
22
Cucumber yields hit 800,000 tons in 2023 from protected farming.
23
Pomegranate production reached 120,000 tons in 2022.
24
Goat milk production was 300 million liters in 2023.
25
Camel milk output totaled 250 million liters in 2022 from 1.5 million camels.
26
Beef production from local breeds was 180,000 tons in 2023.
27
Watermelon production hit 900,000 tons in 2022.
28
Grape production reached 250,000 tons in 2023, mostly table grapes.
29
Mango output was 80,000 tons in 2022 from Jazan.
30
Sorghum production for feed stood at 50,000 tons in 2023.
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
Saudi Arabia is proving that you can, in fact, make a desert bloom, not just with water but with a flood of data, innovation, and ambition, cultivating everything from high-tech tomatoes to export-grade honey to reduce its dependence on imports one cleverly irrigated field at a time.
More related reading
04 · Category
Trade23 stats
01
Saudi Arabia imported USD 15.2 billion worth of food products in 2022, mainly from EU and Brazil.
02
Food imports grew 8% YoY to USD 16.5 billion in 2023, dairy at 20% share.
03
Wheat imports totaled 3.1 million tons in 2022, valued at USD 1.2 billion from Australia.
04
Poultry imports reached 800,000 tons in 2023, Brazil supplying 60%.
05
Dairy product imports were USD 2.8 billion in 2022, milk powder leading.
06
Edible oil imports hit 1.5 million tons in 2023, palm oil 70%.
07
Sugar imports stood at 2.2 million tons in 2022, from Brazil and Thailand.
08
Food exports from Saudi Arabia reached USD 2.1 billion in 2023, dates at 40%.
09
Date exports totaled 350,000 tons in 2022 to India and UAE.
10
Live animal exports were 5 million heads in 2023, sheep to GCC.
11
Fruit exports hit USD 500 million in 2022, citrus to Europe.
12
Poultry meat exports reached 50,000 tons in 2023 to Jordan.
13
Mineral water exports grew to 200 million liters in 2022.
14
Frozen food imports were USD 1.1 billion in 2023 from India.
15
Vegetable imports totaled 1.8 million tons in 2022, potatoes from Egypt.
16
Confectionery imports hit USD 800 million in 2023.
17
Seafood imports reached 250,000 tons in 2022, shrimp from India.
18
Processed meat imports were 150,000 tons in 2023 from EU.
19
Rice imports stood at 1.3 million tons in 2022 from Pakistan.
20
Juice imports totaled USD 400 million in 2023.
21
Pasta imports hit 200,000 tons in 2022 from Turkey.
22
Baby food imports were USD 250 million in 2023.
23
Organic product imports reached USD 300 million in 2022.
Interpretation
Trade Interpretation
While Saudi Arabia's dinner plate is a globe-trotting feast of imported essentials and treats, its own export basket, though growing, remains a modest but proud selection of dates, livestock, and water, highlighting a strategic dependence on foreign food security alongside niche agricultural triumphs.
05 · Category
Trends18 stats
01
Food market projected to reach USD 38 billion by 2028 at 7.2% CAGR.
02
Halal food market to grow to USD 45 billion by 2025 in KSA.
03
Plant-based meat adoption rose 25% in 2023 among urban consumers.
04
E-commerce food sales surged 40% to USD 4 billion in 2023.
05
Sustainability focus: 60% consumers prefer eco-friendly packaging in 2023.
06
Health foods market to expand at 10% CAGR to 2030.
07
Ready-to-cook meals demand up 30% post-COVID in 2023.
08
Local sourcing increased to 45% in retail by 2023.
09
Premium food segment grew 12% in 2022.
10
Food tech investments projected to hit USD 2 billion by 2025.
11
Zero-sugar beverages sales up 18% in 2023.
12
Urban farming initiatives cover 10,000 hectares by 2023.
13
Vegan product launches doubled to 150 in 2022.
14
Food waste reduction programs cut 20% losses in 2023.
15
AI in supply chain adopted by 40% major firms in 2023.
16
Functional foods market to reach USD 1 billion by 2027.
17
Home delivery food services grew 35% to USD 3 billion in 2023.
18
Organic farming area expanded 15% to 50,000 hectares in 2023.
Interpretation
Trends Interpretation
Saudi Arabia's food industry is no longer just about feeding a nation, but a sophisticated and hungry engine of change, where tradition meets tech, wellness wars with waste, and every click for a plant-based meal delivered in eco-friendly packaging fuels a multi-billion-dollar revolution in how the Kingdom eats.
Reference
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Saudi Arabia Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Saudi Arabia Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Saudi Arabia Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-food-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
42 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level