Browse Data and Analysis

Saudi 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.

Saudi Arabia is a 20th largest importer of U.S. food and agricultural products in the world, with direct U.S. exports of $1.23 billion in 2020. Return to semi-normal living conditions are invigorating U.S. agricultural exports to the Kingdom as supported by the U.S. Customs data for January – August 2021 that show 16 percent increase compared to the same period in 2020.

Saudi Arabia’s barley imports for the first six months of MY2021/22 (July – Dec. 2021) is estimated at 2.8 million metric tons (MMT), a reduction of 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

On February 2, 2021, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) increased the shelf life for U.S. chilled beef from 70 to 120 days.

Saudi Arabia’s food security strategy is managed by the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO), and sometime in 2021, they will transfer the barley imports and distribution business back to...