Nongshim is constructing a demonstration greenhouse in Saudi Arabia to showcase South Korean smart farm technology. Nongshim announced today (the 23rd) that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the demonstration greenhouse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Deputy Minister Al Mushayti from the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Deputy Minister Park Beom-soo from the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in attendance.
This smart farm, covering an area of approximately 2,000 square meters, will feature two models: a vertical farm and a glass greenhouse, and it is planned to be completed by December of this year.
Nongshim stated that various K-smart farm technologies, including advanced agricultural robots and environmental control solutions, will be showcased in the demonstration greenhouse.
The demonstration greenhouse in Saudi Arabia is part of a smart farm export activation project agreed upon by Nongshim and the Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency in July of last year.
The aim is to establish Korean-style smart farms in Saudi Arabia to facilitate expansion into the Middle East market. Nongshim was selected as the project operator by forming a consortium with three small and medium-sized enterprises.
Nongshim revealed plans to cultivate leafy vegetables like kale in the vertical farm and produce cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers in the glass greenhouse.
Especially, to cater to the taste preferences of local Middle Eastern consumers who prefer sweeter flavors, the focus will be on producing leafy vegetables with less bitterness and vegetable varieties with sweet flavors.
The crops produced here will be sold through the distribution network of a local Saudi partner company, with plans to expand into local retail stores in the future.
Nongshim made its first foray into the global market by exporting container-style smart farms to Oman in 2022 and has since signed smart farm export Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Saudi Arabia and Qatar in 2023.