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The Saudi Arabian General Authority of Ports (Mawani), in coordination with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, announced its intention to require the use of pallets for all containerized cargo shipments to the Kingdom's ports.

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 Report.

Saudi Arabia is the dominant market in the Middle East region and offers export opportunities for U.S. exporters of bulk commodities and consumer-oriented products.

Rwanda is a growing economy with a young population and expanding retail sector that offers opportunities for U.S. agricultural and food exports. The country’s increasing demand for safe, high-quality products coupled with the growth of modern retail and e-commerce platforms creates favorable entry points.

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 Report. These certificates are required for the importation of food and agricultural products into the Kingdom. Information in this report supplements the FAIRS Annual Country Report.

Saudi Arabia has published numerous regulations and standards over the years. While many of these regulations (both mandatory and voluntary) were notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO), most were immediately implemented making it difficult for U.S. exporters to adjust or comment.

Saudi Arabia is a major market ($1.55 billion) for U.S. food and agricultural products, and there are plenty of opportunities to export a wide range of new-to-market U.S. food products.

On February 21, 2024, The Government of Rwanda (GoR) published a new biosafety law providing requirements for the transit and utilization of living modified organisms (LMOs) produced through modern biotechnology techniques. This law enters effect immediately.

Over the past several years, Saudi Arabia published several new regulations and standards, some of which were notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

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 Report.

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.

Over the past several years, Saudi Arabia published quite a few new regulations and standards, some of which were notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Unfortunately, many of these standards were notified and immediately implemented, missing the opportunity to engage with international stakeholders and making it difficult for U.S. exporters to adjust.