Browse Data and Analysis

U.S. exports of consumer-oriented food products to Saudi Arabia decreased four percent in 2021, compared to 2020, to approximately $535 million mainly due to shipping issues (e.g., fewer cargo ships, higher costs, etc.) throughout the year. In June 2022, the Saudi government lifted all COVID-19 restrictions allowing the food service sector to return to pre-pandemic operations while also fully reopening the country to foreign visitors.

Saudi Arabia’s MY 2020/21 barley imports are estimated at 6.2 Million Metric Tons (MMT), 18 percent below the USDA official estimate of 7.6 MMT.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) continues to stringently implement and approve food regulations and standards on imported food and agricultural products.

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 Export Certificate Report.