Browse Data and Analysis

Over the past several years, Saudi Arabia published quite a few new regulations and standards, some of which were notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Unfortunately, many of these standards were notified and immediately implemented, missing the opportunity to engage with international stakeholders and making it difficult for U.S. exporters to adjust.

The major export certificates required by Saudi Arabia’s regulatory and import control agencies are included in this Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) - Certificates Report. These certificates are required for the importation of food and agricultural products into the Kingdom. Information in this report supplements the FAIRS Annual Country Report.

In 2013, the number of food retail outlets in Saudi Arabia was estimated at 40,435 stores, an increase of 15 percent over their number in 2012.

The hotel, restaurant and institutional (HRI) food service sector in Saudi Arabia has been rapidly growing in the past decade.

U.S. food and agricultural product exports to Saudi Arabia reached a record-high level of $1.425 billion in FY 2014, an increase of 24 percent over the previous year.

This FAIRS Certificates Report lists major export certificates required by Saudi Arabia’s regulatory and import control agencies for the importation of food and agricultural product into the Kingdom.

This FAIRS Country Report contains updates of the regulatory requirements and procedures for importing food and agricultural products into Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi poultry sector has experienced a major production growth in recent years. Broiler meat production is estimated at 640,000 MT in 2014, and expected to further increase 9 percent in 2015.

There are no significant biotechnology activities reported in Saudi Arabia in 2013/14.