Browse Data and Analysis

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 packed food importers do not import biotech foods due to concerns that biotech labeling could jeopardize their product image. However, Saudi Arabia imports large quantities of biotech U.S. corn, soybeans, and their products.

Saudi Arabia’s barley imports for the first six months of MY 2022/23 (July – Dec. 2022) are estimated at 2.6 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of six percent compared to the same period last year. Post’s current projection for total barley imports for MY 2022/23 is 4.5 MMT, which is a decrease of four percent compared to the USDA official estimate of 4.7 MMT. Unless the price of barley drastically decreases, Post anticipates demand will remain low throughout MY 2022/23.

Saudi Arabia was a 24th largest market ($1.34 million) for U.S. food and agricultural products last year. A return to pre-Covid living and working conditions are invigorating U.S. agricultural exports to the Kingdom in 2022. U.S. Customs data for January – August 2022 shows an 11 percent increase in U.S. agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia compared to the same period in 2021.

Saudi regulations allow the importation of biotech plant products. However, they are required to be labeled if they contain more than one percent genetically engineered (GE) plant....

Saudi Arabia imported $14.8 billion worth of agricultural and related products in 2016, with the U.S. accounting for about 10 percent of total Saudi imports

Saudi Arabia’s regulatory authorities continue to strictly enforce Saudi and GSO food import regulations and standards, particularly those related to allowable limits for food additives....

Saudi Arabia’s barley imports for MY 2017/18 are projected at 7.8 million MT, a decrease of 13 percent compared to the official USDA estimate of 9 million MT.

Broiler meat production in Saudi Arabia is expected to reach 760,000 MT in 2017, about 9 percent higher than USDA’s official estimate.

Saudi MY 2017/18 wheat imports are projected at 3.7 million MT, an increase of about six percent compared to this marketing year.

Saudi Arabia’s decision to phase out forage production will increase demand for imported high protein alfalfa hay.

Saudi Arabia’s regulatory authorities continue to strictly enforce Saudi and GSO food import regulations and standards, particularly those related to allowable limits for food additives...