Saudi Arabia: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) regulations allow the importation of biotech plant products, but they are required to be labeled if they contain more than one percent genetically engineered (GE) plant ingredients. As a result, many retail packaged food importers do not import biotech foods due to concerns that biotech labeling could jeopardize their image. However, Saudi Arabia imports large quantities of biotech U.S. corn and soybeans. KSA as well as Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) regulations prohibit the import of genetically modified animals, birds, and fish. Biotech planting seeds are permitted for import, but there are currently no ongoing commercial development activities for GE plants in Saudi Arabia.