The Food and Beverage Market Entry Handbook: Saudi Arabia a Practical Guide to the Market in Saudi Arabia for European Agri-food Products and Products with Geographical Indications July 2017 Prepared by: EUROPEAN COMMISSION Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency Promotion of Agricultural Products Unit E-mail: [email protected] Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). This document has been prepared for the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) acting under the mandate from the European Commission. It reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission / Chafea cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu) Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2017 PDF/Volume_01 EB-05-17-005-EN-N ISBN 978-92-9200-771-3 DOI 10.2818/282581 © European Union, 2017 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Enjoy It’s from Europe – Market Entry Handbook Table of Contents: How to Use this Handbook Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................. 1 List of Acronyms .............................................................................. 5 The Exporter’s Handbook: Saudi Arabia ............................................... 6 How to Use this Handbook .............................................................. 6 The Saudi Market ............................................................................. 8 Saudi Arabia at a Glance ................................................................. 9 Saudi Arabian Food and Beverage Market ........................................ 13 4.2.1 Saudi Arabia F&B Trade Profile ................................................. 15 4.2.2 Retail Overview ...................................................................... 19 4.2.3 Logistics ............................................................................... 22 4.2.4 Distribution ........................................................................... 30 4.2.5 Doing Business ...................................................................... 32 Market Access and Entry ................................................................. 34 Market Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats ................ 34 Cultural Sensitivities .................................................................... 36 5.2.1 Alcohol & Intoxicants .............................................................. 36 5.2.2 Fresh & Processed Meat .......................................................... 37 5.2.3 Price Hikes during Religious Festivals like Ramadan ..................... 37 5.2.4 Rising Health-Consciousness Sets the Trends in Food and Beverage Sector 37 EU F&B Exports to Saudi Arabia ..................................................... 38 Key Markets ................................................................................ 40 Regulation, Legislation and Administrative Information ..................... 46 5.5.1 Registration of GI ................................................................... 46 5.5.2 GCC Trademark Law ............................................................... 48 5.5.3 Customs Regulations .............................................................. 49 5.5.4 SPS Requirements .................................................................. 53 5.5.5 Labelling Requirements ........................................................... 57 Saudi Arabia and International Trade in F&B .................................... 58 5.6.1 Saudi Arabia at the WTO ......................................................... 59 Saudi Arabia at the GCC 6 ............................................................. 59 5.7.1 GCC Trademark Law ............................................................... 60 5.7.2 Future of GCC 6 ..................................................................... 61 Market Snapshots ........................................................................... 62 Market Snapshot: Baked Goods ..................................................... 63 6.1.1 Consumption ......................................................................... 63 6.1.2 Offer .................................................................................... 65 1 | P a g e Enjoy It’s from Europe – Market Entry Handbook Table of Contents: How to Use this Handbook 6.1.3 Specific Import Requirements .................................................. 70 6.1.4 Distribution ........................................................................... 71 6.1.5 Summary .............................................................................. 71 Market Snapshot: Chocolate .......................................................... 73 6.2.1 Consumption ......................................................................... 73 6.2.2 Offer .................................................................................... 75 6.2.3 Main Competitors ................................................................... 78 6.2.4 Specific Import Requirements .................................................. 78 6.2.5 Distribution ........................................................................... 79 6.2.6 Summary .............................................................................. 80 Market Snapshot: Confectionary Products ....................................... 81 6.3.1 Consumption ......................................................................... 81 6.3.2 Offer .................................................................................... 84 6.3.3 Main Competitors ................................................................... 87 6.3.4 Specific Import Requirements .................................................. 87 6.3.5 Distribution ........................................................................... 88 6.3.6 Summary .............................................................................. 88 Market Snapshot: Dairy Products ................................................... 90 6.4.1 Consumption ......................................................................... 90 6.4.2 Offer .................................................................................... 93 6.4.3 Main Competitors ................................................................... 94 6.4.4 Specific Import Requirements .................................................. 95 6.4.5 Distribution ........................................................................... 96 6.4.6 Summary .............................................................................. 97 Market Snapshot: Drinks .............................................................. 98 6.5.1 Consumption ......................................................................... 98 6.5.2 Offer .................................................................................. 102 6.5.3 Distribution ......................................................................... 106 6.5.4 Summary ............................................................................ 107 Market Snapshot: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ............................... 109 6.6.1 Consumption ....................................................................... 109 6.6.2 Offer .................................................................................. 114 6.6.3 Main Competitors ................................................................. 116 6.6.4 Specific Import Requirements ................................................ 118 6.6.5 Distribution ......................................................................... 119 6.6.6 Summary ............................................................................ 119 Market Snapshot: Fresh Meats ..................................................... 120 2 | P a g e Enjoy It’s from Europe – Market Entry Handbook Table of Contents: How to Use this Handbook 6.7.1 Consumption ....................................................................... 120 6.7.2 Offer .................................................................................. 124 6.7.3 Main Competitors ................................................................. 126 6.7.4 Specific Import Requirements ................................................ 127 6.7.5 Distribution ......................................................................... 128 6.7.6 Summary ............................................................................ 130 Market Snapshot: Honey, Gum Resins and Plant Products ................ 132 6.8.1 Consumption ....................................................................... 132 6.8.2 Offer .................................................................................. 134 6.8.3 Main Competitors ................................................................. 136 6.8.4 Product Import Requirements ................................................ 137 6.8.5 Distribution ......................................................................... 137 6.8.6 Summary ............................................................................ 138 Market Snapshot: Cotton Plants ..................................................