SAUDI ARABIA —Bangladesh has participated for the first time in AgroFood Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s flagship exhibition for agriculture, food and agri-technology industries, as part of efforts to broaden its export base beyond ready-made garments. The event, held from December 3–5, features exhibitors from the Middle East, East Asia and Central Asia.
According to officials from the Export Promotion Bureau, five Bangladeshi food producers are showcasing products at the exhibition. The initiative signals Dhaka’s intent to strengthen trade ties with Saudi Arabia, one of its largest Middle Eastern trading partners.
Bilateral commerce has historically centered on labor migration and apparel exports, which remain Bangladesh’s primary foreign exchange earner. However, rising food consumption and import demand in the Gulf region present opportunities for processed food, agro-based goods and halal-certified products.
With an estimated 3.6 million Bangladeshi nationals residing in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom represents both a diaspora-driven consumer base and a gateway to the broader Gulf Cooperation Council market. For exporters and policymakers, participation in sector-specific trade platforms reflects a strategic move toward product diversification and reduced dependence on a single export category.
