2 weeks Ago By Kim Min-jee
Nongshim is officially targeting the smart farm market in the Middle East. On April 21 (local time), the company announced that it had held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 'K-Smart Farm' demonstration greenhouse at the National Agricultural Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The ceremony was attended by key figures, including Park Bum-soo, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Al Mushayti, Deputy Minister of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
This project is part of the "Smart Farm Export Promotion Project" that Nongshim signed with the Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency in July of last year. Nongshim is collaborating with three small and medium-sized enterprises to implement this initiative. The smart farm being established in Riyadh will cover a total area of 2,000 square meters, with completion targeted for December.
In this state-of-the-art facility, Nongshim plans to showcase domestic smart farm technologies, including environmental control systems and agricultural robots. The smart farm will be divided into two types: 'vertical farms' and 'glass greenhouses,' each intended for different crops. The vertical farm will cultivate leafy vegetables such as frilled lettuce and kale, while the glass greenhouses will grow fruits like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.
Notably, the farm will focus on varieties that appeal to local consumers, prioritizing those with less bitterness and stronger sweetness. The harvested crops will initially be sold through local distribution partners, with plans to later enter major retail stores such as Carrefour and Lulu Hypermarkets, as well as e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Noon. Through this project, Nongshim aims to demonstrate the competitiveness of K-Smart Farms in the Middle East market, including Saudi Arabia, while promoting the global spread of smart farm technology.
Long-term, the strategy includes the formation of a cluster that integrates related industries such as processing, distribution, and research and development to accelerate entry into the global market. Nongshim took its first step into the global market by exporting a container-type smart farm to Oman in 2022, and subsequently signed memorandums of understanding related to smart farms with Saudi Arabia and Qatar in 2023. The Saudi project has gained further momentum following its selection for the government's export activation initiative in 2024.
A spokesperson for Nongshim commented, “The groundbreaking of this demonstration greenhouse marks a significant step for the entry of K-Smart Farms into the Middle East. We will continue to work towards enhancing the reputation of Korean smart farm technology in the global market.”.
