Al-Kharj, 25 April 2025 (27 Shawwal 1446H)

The Saudi Dairy Forum 2025 concluded today in Al-Kharj governorate, after three days packed with dialogue sessions, investment signings and networking that brought together decision-makers, major companies, government bodies and national universities, with strong attendance from sector specialists and stakeholders.

SAR 150 Million in Quality Investments

The forum saw the signing of agreements and projects exceeding SAR 150 million in value, including:

  • The launch of specialized dairy startups.
  • Logistics contracts supporting production lines.
  • Training and qualification partnerships with academic bodies.
  • Supply chain and distribution services to expand local and regional coverage.

Seven Content-Rich Discussion Sessions

A select group of government leaders, researchers and specialists took part in seven dialogue sessions discussing:

  • Advanced production technologies.
  • Recent developments in food safety.
  • Innovation in dairy factories and supply chains.
  • Boosting food security and local investment.

The Dairy Sector in the Kingdom: Key Facts

According to Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Sharif, chairman of the forum's supreme committee:

  • Self-sufficiency in dairy in the Kingdom has reached 129%.
  • Investment value in the sector has reached SAR 22 billion.
  • Exports total SAR 4.8 billion annually.
  • Dairy companies run more than 10,500 delivery trips daily, supplying 83,000 stores under the highest quality, transport and distribution standards.

Dairy Industrial Cluster: A Strategic Launch

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef announced during the forum the launch of the "Dairy Industrial Cluster" in Al-Kharj, spanning 1 million square meters, to serve as a pivotal hub for food manufacturing, offering:

  • Ready-built factories and integrated facilities.
  • Cold and dry storage warehouses.
  • Advanced infrastructure linked to demand centers and logistics services.

The project marks a pivotal step toward strengthening the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for food industries and achieving the goals of the National Industrial Strategy by supporting national products, raising localization rates, and achieving sustainable food self-sufficiency.