The Saudi Arabia market for Indian groundnut kernels
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. Roasters and snack makers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia buy bold and Java kernels.
Indian community in Saudi Arabia (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 2,750,551 (NRI 2,747,551 + PIO 3,000) — largest NRI population worldwide.
Groundnut Kernels specification for Saudi Arabia orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Count per ounce | Bold 38/42, 40/50, 50/60; Java 50/60, 60/70, 70/80, 80/90 (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 7-8% (typical) |
| Admixture | ≤ 0.25-1% (typical) |
| Damaged / broken | ≤ 2-3% (typical) |
| Aflatoxin | Per destination: EU total ≤ 4 µg/kg for direct consumption (verify); typically ≤ 10-20 ppb for Asia |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Saudi Arabia requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Saudi Arabia
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Importer & product registration | SFDA | Ghad establishment registration (5 yrs) + product registration |
| Clearance documents | SFDA via FASAH | CoO, invoice (qty, expiry, batch), B/L, health cert, phytosanitary cert, halal cert, import permit (poultry/fish/eggs) |
| Arabic labelling | SFDA | SFDA.FD/GSO 9; GSO 150-1 expiry; SFDA.FD 2233 nutrition |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping groundnut kernels to Saudi Arabia
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Dammam: 6-10 days. Often via Jebel Ali transhipment; FASAH/SABER docs must be in place before arrival
Supply window: Indian groundnut kernels is mainly produced or harvested Kharif harvest Oct-Nov; summer crop Mar-Apr (ASSUMPTION). Allow 6-10 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Saudi Arabia customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 18-19 MT, 40' HC about 25-26 MT.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Dammam is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Saudi Arabia
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | Inland; King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (east) / Jeddah Islamic Port (west); Riyadh Dry Port ra | textile & garment wholesalers, government & mega-project contractors (construction materials, steel |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import groundnut kernels into Saudi Arabia?
Key requirements: Importer & product registration — SFDA (Ghad establishment registration (5 yrs) + product registration); Clearance documents — SFDA via FASAH (CoO, invoice (qty, expiry, batch), B/L, health cert, phytosanitary cert, halal cert, import permit (poultry/fish/eggs)); Arabic labelling — SFDA (SFDA.FD/GSO 9; GSO 150-1 expiry; SFDA.FD 2233 nutrition). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Saudi Arabia take?
Typically 6-10 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Dammam, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Saudi Arabia have a trade agreement with India?
No bilateral FTA. India–GCC FTA: terms of reference finalised, negotiations ongoing [S7]. Saudi applies GCC common external tariff (5% most goods) A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to groundnut kernels from India?
Usually HS 120242. Saudi Arabia applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What is the difference between Bold and Java peanuts?
Bold kernels are large, elongated runner-type peanuts; Java kernels are smaller, rounder Spanish-type peanuts with a higher oil content.
What does 40/50 count mean?
40 to 50 kernels per ounce (28.35 g); lower counts mean larger kernels.
How is aflatoxin controlled?
Lots are dried to safe moisture, sorted, and tested by HPLC before shipment against the destination's limit.
Related guides
Request a quote: groundnut kernels to Saudi Arabia
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Saudi Arabia. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.