The Saudi Arabia market for Indian natural honey
Saudi Arabia: the importer registers the establishment and each product on SFDA's Ghad platform; FASAH clearance needs certificate of origin, invoice showing batch and expiry, health/phytosanitary certificate as applicable; Arabic labelling per SFDA.FD/GSO 9. UAE and Saudi Arabia are top-3 markets (APEDA FY2024-25); halal certification and Arabic labelling apply to retail packs.
Indian community in Saudi Arabia (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 2,750,551 (NRI 2,747,551 + PIO 3,000) — largest NRI population worldwide.
Natural Honey specification for Saudi Arabia orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 18-20% (typical; Codex ≤ 20%) |
| HMF | ≤ 40 mg/kg (Codex/EU; typical) |
| Diastase activity | ≥ 8 Schade units (Codex/EU; typical) |
| Reducing sugars (fructose + glucose) | ≥ 60 g/100 g (Codex) |
| Authenticity | NMR profiling, C4 sugar (SCIRA), foreign oligosaccharides - pass (buyer-specified) |
| Residues | Antibiotics and pesticides per destination limits |
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 natural honey 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 natural honey is mainly produced or harvested Mustard flow Dec-Feb; litchi Apr; eucalyptus/multiflora Mar-May (ASSUMPTION; ICRIER lists mustard/litchi/eucalyptus as main flows); Year-round. 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 24 MT (80 drums x 300 kg), 40' HC about 26-27 MT (weight-limited).
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 | Indian/South Asian grocery chains, textile & garment wholesalers, government & mega-project contractors (construction materials |
| Mecca | Inland (~80 km); Jeddah Islamic Port · King Abdulaziz International Jeddah (JED) | dates/food retail, pilgrim hotels & catering (rice, pulses |
| Khobar | King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (adjacent) · King Fahd International Dammam (DMM) | expatriate retail & HORECA, Aramco-contractor supply, Indian grocery |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import natural honey 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 natural honey from India?
Usually HS 040900. Saudi Arabia applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
How do you prove your honey is authentic?
Lots are tested for authenticity by NMR profiling and C4-sugar analysis at a buyer-approved lab, alongside standard quality tests.
Which Indian honey types are available?
Mainly multiflora, mustard, litchi and eucalyptus, plus organic and forest honey in smaller volumes.
How is bulk honey packed?
In 300 kg food-grade drums; about 80 drums fit in a 20-foot container.
Related guides
Request a quote: natural honey to Saudi Arabia
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Saudi Arabia. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.