The exhibition is 38th event of Agriculture, Water and Agro-Industry Show and 26th International Trade Show for Food Products, Ingredients & Technologies. The pavilions hosted small, medium and large food producers from 34 countries, including France, Holland, Italy, China, UAE, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, India, Canada, USA and many others. The exhibited products included dried fruits and nuts, halal certified sausages and poultry, dairy, fish, fertilizers, animal feed, honey, plastic packaging, pesticides, and agricultural technology.
On October 21st, First Session of the exhibition was opened by a brief address of the Chairman and keynote address of Vice CEO of National Fisheries Development Program, Mr. Mosleh Al-Zobidi who overviewed the aquaculture industry in Saudi Arabia. Eng. Ayman Bin Saad Al Ghamdi opened the Second Session in the evening and overviewed potential of organic agriculture. The opening sessions on October 22nd were dedicated to overview of poultry farming by Dr. Youssef bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Youssef and bee industries in the Kingdom by Dr. Ahmed Al-Khazim Al Ghamdi.
The IOFS Representative, Miss Sakbay approached companies from Islamic pavilions to introduce IOFS and discuss its mission, goals and projects. She discussed Grain Fund and IFPA projects of IOFS with SALIC representatives (Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company) and forwarded them information about the organization for their further study.
She also spoke to representatives of Six October for Agricultural Projects (S.O.A.P.), Almarai and Alwatania Grand Parents, who found projects of IOFS to be interesting but asked them to be negotiated with company presidents who were not present at the exhibition.
IOFS spoke to smaller producers as well, briefed about IOFS plans and goals, and collected their brochures and contact details. Many companies such as Demas, Takdana, Leen Alkahir have shown interest in IOFS projects and expressed willingness to collaborate in future.
