Browse Data and Analysis

The Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) has concluded its barley purchases for marketing year (MY) 2017/18.

The Saudi food processing sector has been rapidly growing due to government support of food processers, rising per capita income and major demographic and socio-economic changes.

Saudi corn imports in marketing year (MY) 2017/18 are forecast to increase by 15 percent, to about 4 million MT.

Saudi Arabia’s barley imports for marketing year (MY) 2017/18 are estimated at 8 million MT, about 6 percent lower than the official USDA estimate of 8.5 million MT.

Two retailers started online sales of perishable products in 2017, and Saudi Arabia’s retail sector continues to grow rapidly.

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....

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....

West Africa’s (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Senegal) Marketing Year (MY) 2017/18 cotton production is forecast down to 2.8 million 480 lb. bales primarily due to drought and high pest pressures....

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.

For MY 2017/18, total area and production levels for West Africa are estimated to increase 2.75 percent to 2.95 million 480 lb. bales assuming good weather and strong farm gate prices.