PepsiCo buys about 160,000 tonnes of Saudi potatoes a year, worth up to SAR 595 million, according to Ahmed Al-Sheikh, President and General Manager of PepsiCo's food business for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan.
Since 2025, the company behind Pepsi, Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos and Gatorade has sourced all the potatoes for its Saudi food business locally, after more than 25 years of working with Saudi farmers. The supply chain covers:
Regions: Al-Jouf, Hail and Wadi Al-Dawasir.
Farmland: about 5,000 hectares.
Jobs: about 6,500 in farming communities and about 1,000 in the agricultural supply chain.
PepsiCo has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Reef, a non-profit foundation under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture that supports farmers and rural families. Together they are launching the "Excellence for Saudi Farmers" award, which will recognise farmers, individuals and institutions with a tangible impact on production efficiency, resource sustainability and farming communities.
A specialised judging committee will oversee the award. Its categories, eligibility criteria and nomination process will be announced later.
Get weekly intel on what's launching, moving and next on MENA's shelves. Subscribe to Arabian Aisles.