Food Export USA’s Focused Trade Mission to Middle East Set to Land in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia is set to welcome U.S. food exporters this week, as Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast bring their Focused Trade Mission to the Middle East to Jeddah from November 18–20, 2025. The three-day event at the Crowne Plaza Corniche Hotel aims to strengthen the U.S.–GCC trade relationships and expand access to American specialty, premium, and value-added food products across the region’s fast-growing retail and foodservice sectors.

The mission will feature a diverse group of U.S. producers and manufacturers representing some of the most in-demand categories among Gulf buyers — including premium seafood, cheese, dairy ingredients, maple syrup, popcorn, bakery inputs, confectionery, and organic products.

The delegation spans premium seafood, dairy, snacks, condiments, and specialty items. Highlighted participants include Greenhead Lobster and Maine Dayboat Scallops, both showcasing high-end Northeastern U.S. seafood; Renard’s Cheese Store with Wisconsin-made cheeses; Simply Organic Maple offering zero-carbon Vermont maple syrup; Nebraska Popcorn Sales with non-GMO, Halal- and Kosher-certified popcorn; and ODR Foods Corporation with value-added dairy and fruit/vegetable products.

They are joined by Al Khayrat International Co., American Food Supply LLC, Hudson Exports Inc., International American Supermarket Corp (IAS), and The Food Shop, representing a broader mix of U.S. grocery items, snacks, bakery mixes, condiments, beverages, organic lines, and specialty ice creams.

For GCC buyers, the event functions as a ready-made sourcing environment with one-on-one business matchmaking and export navigation handled by Food Export USA’s regional team. Anna Kizirian, the organization’s In-Market Representative, also supports buyers with product sourcing, supplier introductions, and documentation guidance.

An additional benefit for GCC partners is Food Export’s Branded Program, which provides cost-shared marketing support to U.S. exporters. While the funding goes to suppliers, it ultimately helps local distributors build brands in-market through activities such as in-store sampling, trade advertising, packaging adaptation, and promotional campaigns.

“Our goal is to help GCC importers connect directly with trusted U.S. suppliers, while ensuring they receive the market support, product consistency, and promotional backing needed to succeed long-term,” said Anna Kizirian, Food Export USA’s In-Market Representative for the Middle East.

With Saudi Arabia’s retail and foodservice sectors evolving rapidly — and demand growing for premium, traceable, and specialty food products — the Jeddah mission positions U.S. exporters to expand presence in a market hungry for newness, quality sourcing, and brand storytelling.

For more information on partnering with U.S. suppliers or participating in future missions, GCC importers may contact Ms. Anna Kizirian, In-Market Representative for the Middle East, at [email protected], or visit https://foodexportgcc.org/.