Food, Beverage & Agribusiness

Securing Supply,
Driving Sustainability

Saudi Arabia imports 80% of its food and is actively investing to secure long-term supply. Australia is one of the world’s most trusted food exporters. This committee turns that alignment into structured, lasting commercial relationships.

The Opportunity

Australia Feeds Saudi Arabia. This Committee Grows That Relationship.

Food and agribusiness is the largest and most established component of bilateral trade between Australia and Saudi Arabia. Wheat, barley, beef, and lamb form the backbone of Australia’s exports to the Kingdom. But the opportunity goes well beyond commodity volumes. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 National Food Security Strategy and the Saudi Green Initiative are driving demand for agri-technology, precision agriculture, premium-branded food, and sovereign investment in overseas agricultural assets.

Australia is the world’s third-largest beef exporter and a major global grain supplier. Australian Halal certification standards and ESCAS livestock welfare frameworks are recognised and trusted in the Saudi market. The Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Committee builds on this foundation, helping Australian agribusinesses move up the value chain, access Saudi retail and food service channels, and engage with sovereign investment vehicles seeking to partner with Australian agricultural asset holders.

The Opportunity

Australia Feeds Saudi Arabia. This Committee Grows That Relationship.

Food and agribusiness is the largest and most established component of bilateral trade between Australia and Saudi Arabia. Wheat, barley, beef, and lamb form the backbone of Australia’s exports to the Kingdom. But the opportunity goes well beyond commodity volumes. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 National Food Security Strategy and the Saudi Green Initiative are driving demand for agri-technology, precision agriculture, premium-branded food, and sovereign investment in overseas agricultural assets.

Australia is the world’s third-largest beef exporter and a major global grain supplier. Australian Halal certification standards and ESCAS livestock welfare frameworks are recognised and trusted in the Saudi market. The Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Committee builds on this foundation, helping Australian agribusinesses move up the value chain, access Saudi retail and food service channels, and engage with sovereign investment vehicles seeking to partner with Australian agricultural asset holders.
Member Value

What You Get as a Committee Member

Membership gives Australian food and agribusiness companies structured access to Saudi buyers, sovereign investors, and retail channels that are actively looking for reliable, high-quality Australian supply.

Our Objectives

Buyer and Retailer Introductions

The committee connects Australian food exporters directly with Saudi Arabia’s largest food processors, retailers, and distributors, including Almarai, NADEC, AlShaya, and Jaheez. These are the organisations controlling food procurement and retail distribution across the Kingdom, and accessing them requires relationships that ASBC/F has already built.

Sovereign Investment Facilitation

SALIC, the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company, is actively seeking Australian agricultural land and processing asset partnerships. The committee facilitates direct introductions between SALIC and the Olayan Group and Australian agribusinesses and landholders, structuring conversations that would otherwise take years to initiate independently.

Our Objectives

Joint Venture and Investment Facilitation

Saudi SFDA food registration, Halal accreditation, and customs procedures are the most common barriers Australian food exporters face when entering or scaling up in the Saudi market. The committee provides practical guidance and expert connections to help members navigate these requirements efficiently and get products on Saudi shelves faster.
Committee Focus Areas

What This Committee Works On

Six core areas of bilateral activity covering the full value chain from commodity supply through to premium brand market entry and agricultural investment.

Long-Term Supply Agreements

Securing durable grain, beef, and lamb supply contracts with Saudi Arabia’s major food processors and retailers.

Premium Brand Market Entry

Positioning Australian premium food brands in Saudi retail and food service channels.

Agri-Investment Facilitation

Connecting Saudi sovereign investment vehicles with Australian agricultural land and processing assets.

Halal Certification and Compliance

Navigating Saudi Halal standards and SFDA food registration for Australian exporters entering the Kingdom.

AgriTech and Precision Agriculture

Deploying Australian agricultural technology into Saudi Arabia’s domestic food production programme.

Supply Chain Development

Building direct supply chain links between Australian processors and Saudi food retailers and distributors.
Key Commercial Opportunities

Where the Demand Is

Specific, active opportunities where Australian food and agribusiness capability aligns directly with what Saudi buyers, retailers, and sovereign investors are seeking right now.
Opportunity 01

Long-Term Grain and Oilseed Supply Contracts

Long-term grain and oilseed supply agreements between GrainCorp and NADEC or Almarai for domestic Saudi food processing and animal feed requirements. Saudi Arabia’s structural food import dependency makes long-term supply agreements a national priority, and Australian grain suppliers are among the most trusted and logistically positioned in the world to meet that demand.
Opportunity 01

Long-Term Grain and Oilseed Supply Contracts

Long-term grain and oilseed supply agreements between GrainCorp and NADEC or Almarai for domestic Saudi food processing and animal feed requirements. Saudi Arabia’s structural food import dependency makes long-term supply agreements a national priority, and Australian grain suppliers are among the most trusted and logistically positioned in the world to meet that demand.
Opportunity 02

Halal Beef and Lamb Supply to Saudi Retail and HoReCa

Thomas Foods International and Meatfield premium Halal-certified beef and lamb supply contracts with the Saudi hotel, restaurant, catering, and retail sectors. Australian beef and lamb carry strong quality recognition in the Gulf, and the Kingdom’s growing middle class and expanding food service sector are driving sustained demand for premium, reliably certified Halal product.
Opportunity 02

Halal Beef and Lamb Supply to Saudi Retail and HoReCa

Thomas Foods International and Meatfield premium Halal-certified beef and lamb supply contracts with the Saudi hotel, restaurant, catering, and retail sectors. Australian beef and lamb carry strong quality recognition in the Gulf, and the Kingdom’s growing middle class and expanding food service sector are driving sustained demand for premium, reliably certified Halal product.
Opportunity 03

SALIC Investment in Australian Agricultural Assets

SALIC direct investment in Australian agricultural land assets and farm infrastructure through partnerships with Australian agribusinesses and MLA-aligned producers. Saudi Arabia’s national food security strategy explicitly targets overseas agricultural investment as a core pillar, and Australia’s stable regulatory environment, land availability, and established Halal supply chains make it a priority destination for SALIC capital deployment.
Opportunity 03

SALIC Investment in Australian Agricultural Assets

SALIC direct investment in Australian agricultural land assets and farm infrastructure through partnerships with Australian agribusinesses and MLA-aligned producers. Saudi Arabia’s national food security strategy explicitly targets overseas agricultural investment as a core pillar, and Australia’s stable regulatory environment, land availability, and established Halal supply chains make it a priority destination for SALIC capital deployment.
Opportunity 04

Premium Processed Food Brand Entry into Saudi Retail

SPC and Australian premium processed food brands entering Saudi modern retail through AlShaya and Jaheez distribution and co-brand market entry strategies. Saudi Arabia’s expanding middle class, growing health consciousness, and appetite for international premium food brands create a strong and growing addressable market for Australian processed food manufacturers ready to invest in in-market presence and distribution relationships.
Opportunity 04

Premium Processed Food Brand Entry into Saudi Retail

SPC and Australian premium processed food brands entering Saudi modern retail through AlShaya and Jaheez distribution and co-brand market entry strategies. Saudi Arabia’s expanding middle class, growing health consciousness, and appetite for international premium food brands create a strong and growing addressable market for Australian processed food manufacturers ready to invest in in-market presence and distribution relationships.
Committee Members

Who Is Already at the Table

The organisations below are current members of the Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Committee, bringing together Australia’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device innovators, and clinical services firms alongside Saudi Arabia’s largest procurement bodies, hospital groups, and pharmacy retailers.

Australian Members

Saudi Members

AUSTRALIAN MEMBERS

SAUDI MEMBERS

Why ASBC/F

Why Not Just Export Directly?
Many Australian food businesses already export to Saudi Arabia, but most are operating through intermediaries, missing premium market positioning, or unable to access the sovereign investment conversations that could transform their business. ASBC/F has direct relationships with SALIC, Almarai, NADEC, and the major Saudi retail and food service operators. Committee members access those relationships with institutional credibility behind them, not as a cold foreign supplier competing on price alone.
How It Works

What Happens After You Join

A clear operating rhythm that keeps members engaged, informed, and progressing commercial relationships throughout the year.

Quarterly Plenary Meetings

Full committee convenes quarterly, alternating between Australia and Saudi Arabia. Supply opportunities are tabled, investment conversations progressed, and introductions made.

Annual Trade Mission

One formal bilateral food and agribusiness trade mission per year, coordinated with Austrade and MISA. Saudi retail buyer meetings, SALIC investment discussions, and agricultural site visits included.

Quarterly Board Reports

Co-chairs report to the ASBC/F Board each quarter, keeping the committee accountable and strategically aligned across the programme.

FAQs

The Food, Beverage & Agribusiness sector connects Australian and Saudi businesses across agriculture, food production, beverage manufacturing, agribusiness, food processing, and supply chain industries. It supports bilateral trade, investment, innovation, and strategic partnerships to strengthen food security and commercial opportunities between the two countries.

Australia is globally recognised for its high-quality agricultural products, food safety standards, and advanced agribusiness expertise. Saudi Arabia’s focus on food security, sustainable agriculture, and local food production under Vision 2030 creates significant opportunities for Australian exporters, producers, and technology providers.

The sector includes:

  • Agriculture and farming
  • Food and beverage manufacturing
  • Livestock and dairy
  • Horticulture
  • Grain and crop production
  • Seafood and aquaculture
  • Food processing and packaging
  • Agritech and AgTech
  • Food distribution and logistics
  • Cold chain solutions
  • Food safety and quality assurance
  • Sustainable agriculture

The sector welcomes:

  • Farmers and producers
  • Food manufacturers
  • Beverage companies
  • Agribusiness organisations
  • Exporters and importers
  • Food technology companies
  • Agritech providers
  • Logistics and supply chain companies
  • Investors
  • Government agencies
  • Industry associations
  • Research institutions

Australian businesses can explore opportunities in:

  • Exporting premium food products
  • Agricultural technology solutions
  • Food processing partnerships
  • Sustainable farming initiatives
  • Livestock and dairy projects
  • Supply chain and logistics
  • Food manufacturing investments
  • Joint ventures and commercial partnerships
  • Research and innovation collaborations

ASBC/F helps members by facilitating business introductions, organising trade missions, providing market insights, connecting organisations with government and industry stakeholders, and supporting partnerships that promote Australia–Saudi trade and investment.

Yes. ASBC/F regularly organises trade delegations, business forums, networking events, and industry engagements that provide members with opportunities to meet buyers, investors, government representatives, and potential business partners in both Australia and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to strengthen food security, diversify food production, improve agricultural sustainability, and encourage private sector investment. ASBC/F supports these goals by connecting Australian expertise with Saudi market opportunities and fostering long-term commercial partnerships.

Yes. AgTech is one of the fastest-growing areas of collaboration. Opportunities include precision agriculture, smart irrigation, farm automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, water management, crop monitoring, and sustainable farming technologies.

Absolutely. Food manufacturers, beverage producers, processors, exporters, distributors, and value-added food businesses can participate to explore new markets, establish partnerships, and expand their international presence.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important across global food systems. Businesses are adopting environmentally responsible farming practices, efficient resource management, traceability, and sustainable supply chains to improve long-term resilience and meet evolving market expectations.

Yes. Small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role in agriculture and food production. ASBC/F supports SMEs by providing access to networking opportunities, market intelligence, business connections, and export opportunities.

Members can:

  • Connect with industry leaders and decision-makers.
  • Explore export and investment opportunities.
  • Build strategic Australia–Saudi partnerships.
  • Stay informed about market developments.
  • Participate in trade missions and industry events.
  • Access valuable business insights and networking opportunities.

Yes. Universities, agricultural research organisations, innovation centres, and industry bodies are encouraged to collaborate on research, food innovation, sustainable agriculture, and technology development initiatives that benefit both countries.

You can become an ASBC/F member, attend industry events and trade delegations, participate in sector initiatives, or contact the ASBC/F team to explore collaboration, investment, and business development opportunities within the Food, Beverage & Agribusiness sector.

Engage with ASBC/F

Committee membership is open to all financial members of ASBC/F with operations or material interest in the food, beverage, and agribusiness sector. If your business is serious about the Saudi market, this is where that work begins.