Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has set a Guinness World Record for the largest food cluster in the world with the Jeddah Food Cluster, which spans over 11 million square meters and has set a new global benchmark.

Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishal and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attended the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster on Sunday.

The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) announced ambitious plans for the cluster, targeting investments of up to SR20 billion and creating 43,000 job opportunities by 2035. The cluster aims to stimulate economic growth, enhance food security, and support national exports.

Over the next decade, the Jeddah Food Cluster is projected to contribute SR8 billion to national exports and add SR7 billion to the GDP. MODON will achieve this by investing in advanced infrastructure, shared services, and innovative solutions.

By integrating services and optimizing supply chains, the cluster aims to reduce operational costs by 5-12 percent. This will not only benefit businesses but also contribute to strengthening national food security and self-sufficiency in essential commodities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia has made a significant move towards boosting its food security and economic diversification with the launch of the Jeddah Food Cluster. The project aims to transform Jeddah into a global food and business hub, with an ambitious investment target of $5.3 billion.

Located in Jeddah’s Second and Third Industrial Cities, the cluster covers over 50 million square meters and is part of a larger industrial network in the Makkah region. This network includes industrial zones in Makkah and Taif, home to over 2,000 facilities specializing in food production, pharmaceuticals, metals, and chemicals.

Currently, the cluster hosts 124 operational factories, with investments totaling $1.17 billion. These factories produce approximately 4 million tons of goods annually across 10 industrial sectors and employ over 7,000 workers. The cluster also features 76 ready-to-use factories that adhere to Saudi Food and Drug Authority standards, a central laboratory to ensure food safety and quality, and shared cold and dry storage facilities covering over 134,000 square meters.