PepsiCo Expands Saudi Investment With Riyadh R&D Hub

PepsiCo has announced a fresh round of investment in Saudi agriculture, local talent, and innovation, bringing its total spending in the Kingdom to more than SAR 9 billion since 2017.

At the heart of the announcement is a new regional research-and-development hub worth SAR 30 million, to be located in the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh. The hub is designed to develop food products, packaging, flavors, and seasonings tailored to Saudi and wider Gulf markets.

Backing local farms and jobs

The company said it sources 100% of the potatoes used in its locally produced chips from Saudi farms, working with nine growers across Al-Jouf, Hail, and Wadi Al-Dawasir. It also reported a 31% reduction in water use across its Saudi potato-growing network since 2015.

On the employment side, PepsiCo's operations in Dammam employ around 800 people, with 84% of them Saudi nationals. Across roughly 86 sites nationwide, the company says it has contributed to about 9,000 jobs.

PepsiCo also highlighted a strategic partnership with the National Center for Industrial Development focused on food-sector skills, knowledge transfer, and workforce localization. Its wider initiatives include MENA Innovates and Tamakani, which support innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and women's professional development.

For residents and expats, the expansion signals continued growth in industrial and agricultural jobs, stronger local supply chains, and more research activity based in the Kingdom — all in line with national goals to broaden the economy and deepen local expertise.

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