• Organic Foods & Café leads the organic segment in Saudi Arabia with a value share of 13.2% in 2023, followed by Zahdan Group with a value share of 9.7% and Nestlé; SA with a share of 3.3%. 
• Saudi Arabia ranks 21st globally in terms of market size, with a value of US$520.8 mn in 2023.

• Organic products in Saudi Arabia represent approximately 0.8% of global demand and 29.2% of the market in the Middle East and Africa region, recording a per capita expenditure of US$15.5 in 2023. 
• The Saudi market for organic products is projected to increase with a value CAGR of 6.7% for the forecast period 2023-2028 in 2023 constant prices with fixed USD exchange rates, reaching a value of US$721.9 mn by 2028.

• The Organic Packaged Food and Beverages category in Saudi Arabia registered a value growth of 5.4% in 2023 in current prices to record a market size of US$520.8 million. 
• During the historic period of 2019-2023, the Organic Packaged Food category registered a CAGR of 2.9% in current prices. For the forecast period from 2023 to 2028, the growth is expected to accelerate significantly, with a projected CAGR of 6.8% in constant prices.
• Organic Beverages grew historically at 2.2% current CAGR, and its growth is expected to accelerate to 6.3% constant CAGR over the forecast period.
• Growth in Organic Packaged Food was primarily led by Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives, which recorded a strong 13.0% current CAGR during the historic period. It is expected to grow by a constant CAGR of 9.9% over the forecast period.
• Within Organic Beverages, Organic Soft Drinks drove the historic period with a current 8.3% CAGR, however, over the forecast period, Organic Hot Drinks is expected to lead with an even stronger growth of a constant 10.6% CAGR.

• Saudi Arabia experiences a growing interest in natural positioning, as increasing concerns about the impact of artificial additives, such as flavorings, colorings, preservatives and sweeteners, will continue to rise. Consequently, there will also be an ongoing interest in healthy eating across the forecast period, which is set to bolster the development of the products landscape. Due to the lack of pesticides used, many consumers believe organic produce to be better for health, containing higher nutritional value while being seen as more natural. According to Euromonitor International's Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles survey 2024, 28% of respondents in Saudi Arabia consider organic one of the most influential food features when buying a product.
• There is a particular growing interest in organic diets among Millennials and Generation Z. In response to this, manufacturers will continue to sell and launch organic options over the forecast period. Private label players are also taking part in this trend, with supermarkets such as Carrefour and Tamimi offering organic products in categories such as Cooking Ingredients and Meals.

• Organic Foods & Café is leading the Organic Packaged Food category with a market share of 13.5% in 2023. The company, with its origin in the UAE, has entered the Saudi market, leveraging an extensive catalogue covering categories such as Juices, Sauces, Dips and Condiments, and Processed Fruit and Vegetables.
• AMS Baeshen & Co maintained its leadership in the Organic Beverages market in 2023 with a 16.8% share, driven by its well-positioned Rabea brand, which offers a range of organic fruit and herbal teas.

• Across the forecast period, sales of Dairy Products and Alternatives are set to grow, with retail sales projected to rise at a 9.9% constant value CAGR to reach US$62.5 million in 2028. Within this category, Organic Milk will be the category with the highest absolute growth, reaching sales of US$24.2 million by 2028, supported by a constant CAGR of 8.7%. Organic claims in milk have traditionally been paired with low fat and a good source of vitamins, with many consumers interested in managing their weight and reducing their intake of dietary fat, while also obtaining a higher level of vitamins and minerals.
• Organic Green Tea is set to lead growth within the Organic Drinks category, with sales projected to nearly double from US$8.9 million in 2023 to US$16.5 million by 2028. This strong growth is driven by increasing consumer interest in functional benefits, such as antioxidant-rich formulations, with the convergence of health and wellness trends and organic positioning further fuelling demand. As disposable incomes rise over the forecast period, a growing share of consumers is expected to purchase tea specifically for its perceived health advantages.

• The Saudi government has implemented initiatives to promote fitness and active lifestyles, aiming to overcome the high obesity rates in the country. The Quality of Life program initiative from the Saudi government promotes exercise and healthy lifestyles, with the aim of achieving a 40% participation rate in sports by 2030. In November 2021, a US$694 million strategy was launched to support national sports federations, enhance the sector’s contribution to GDP, and foster community engagement in sports. This rising interest in exercise and sport has driven low fat and high protein product sales. High protein products, in particular, are increasingly used by consumers focusing on diet and exercise regimes, especially strength training regimes, due to protein’s well-known benefits for muscle growth and retention.
• As consumers continue to be aware of the health benefits of their diets, a migration to plant-based lifestyles has continued in 2023. Many consumers believe that plant-based diets are more nutritious and align with raising ethical and welfare concerns. In addition, the dangers of diets high in meat, especially red meat, have been well publicized, further driving growth in the plant-based lifestyle. At the same time, plant-based products are believed to provide a good source of vitamins, fats, protein, and carbohydrates and to be less problematic for consumers who have a certain intolerance.

Economy: 

• Saudi Arabia's economic growth is projected to accelerate in 2025, with real GDP expected to grow by 3.3%, supported by increased activity in the non-oil sector as the country continues its efforts to diversify away from hydrocarbons.
• Real GDP growth is anticipated to remain at similar levels, with a projected 4.0% in 2026 and averaging 3.8% annually through 2028.
• Inflation closed 2024 at 1.7% and is expected to accelerate slightly to 2.0% in 2025.

 Population demographics: 

• Saudi Arabia's population reached 35.3 million in 2024 and is projected to grow by 2.2% to 36.1 million in 2025, driven by a combination of positive net immigration and natural growth. According to the 2022 national census, over 40% of the population were foreign nationals.
• The median age in Saudi Arabia was recorded at 30.9 years in 2024, an increase of 1.1 years from 2020. 

Income & expenditure: 

• The savings ratio in Saudi Arabia stayed at 0.2% of disposable income in 2024, remaining at similar levels over the forecast period.
• Consumer expenditure per capita grew by 0.5% in 2024 in current USD terms. In constant USD, it is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.5% through 2028. 
• Disposable income per capita was US$12,711 in 2024. It is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.3% through 2028, supported by a decrease in unemployment and expansion of the non-oil private sector.

¹ Health and Wellness Definition: Health and wellness is the aggregation of organic packaged food and beverages, fortified/functional packaged food and beverages, naturally healthy packaged food and beverages, better for you packaged food and beverages and food intolerance products.

The above definition and more can be referenced from the definitions table at the end of the report.

² Economic and Demographic Data has been updated to reflect final 2024 estimates, therefore using 2024 as the base year for exchange rates and prices. 

³ Historic current prices and forecast constant 2024 prices.

Top 5 Cities By Population

Top 5 Grocery Retailers By Sales

Top 5 Export Commodities To Saudi Arabia

Note : Total organics is the sum of all exports to a country within a year.

Authorized Government Agency(s):

Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture

Agency(s) Contact Information:

Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Department of Organic Agriculture
King Abdullah
Eastern Ring Road
PO Box 204
11195 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Phone: 966 (0)1 401 666 2902
Fax: 966 (0) 1 4122 725
Email: info@mewa.gov.sa; dept-organic-agri@moa.gov.sa 
Website www.mewa.gov.sa

Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:

February 2008 - Adopted Standardization Organization for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GSO)'s guide to organic food production, processing and marketing and labeling: GSO CAC/GL 32:2008 Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods

February 2009 - Adopted the Saudi Commission for Standardization and Metrology (SASO) directory on the local level.

February 2009 - Adopted The Standards & Controls of Organic Farming Activity in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Gulf Standards Organization (GSO) is responsible for developing food and non food standards in the GCC. Once a new standard is approved by the GSO food standards committee, each member country officially adopts the standard, thus making it a national standard as well as a GSO standard. 

GSO 2374:2014 Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods

February 2016: Organic Agriculture Law and Organic Agriculture By-Law 

Date of Implementation: 2011

Regulation and/or Standard Scope:

These standards promote the production, manufacture and trade of organic food and the formulation of definitions, rules and regulations related to organic activity. These standards also aim to protect people working in the areas of organic farming and consumers from fraud, and to support and provide the supply of organic products and their inputs leading to stronger organic agricultural sector in the Kingdom. The regulations for organic production include crops, livestock, poultry, bees, aquaculture animals, seaweed, processed food, and imported products.

Using the term organic in trademarks, brand names, pictorial matter or symbols relating to and placed on any packaging, document, notice, label, etc. accompanying or referring to a product which is non-organic or has not been certified is prohibited.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is responsible for:

1. The conditions and procedures for the analysis of organic products;
2. The requirements for information to be included on organic product labels;
3. The requirements for importing and exporting organic products

Non-Saudi logos can only be used if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The producer and organic production unit have obtained organic certification from an accredited certification body.
2. The product meets the conditions and standards prescribed under the Organic Agriculture Law and By-saw.
3. The product is described as organic in Arabic and/or English
4. The logo and data label are attached prominently and in such a manner as to make their removal difficult.

Beginning November 2012, requirements for import of organic fresh produce include: have a valid commercial import registration, providing a copy of the product's organic certification, and fulfilling other administrative requirements. See news report (website; in Arabic).

Among other requirements, imported products must be certified in the country of production, must be labelled with organic-production-data labels and logos, and the name of the certification body or registration number.

GCC Guide for Control on Imported Foods is useful for all food imports.

Certification:

Certification is required.

Accreditation Method:

Government

Accreditation:

The Department of Organic Agriculture is responsible for accreditation of certification agents. Certifiers operating in the country must be registered and accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture and have either permanent headquarters or a resident representative in the country, as decided by the Department of Agriculture at its sole discretion.

Reference Standards:

Reviewed and accepted in the IFOAM Family of Standards. Products certified according to any of the standards or regulations approved as part of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement's (IFOAM) Family of Standards will meet the requirements of Saudi Arabia's organic regulations, said its Ministry of Agriculture in a letter to IFOAM. The NOP and Canada Organic Regime, as well as 53 other government and private sector standards are on IFOAM's list.

Regulations were drafted in line with European Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 on organic agriculture.

Additional Information:

Saudi Organic Farming Association, a civil association working under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture
Email: Info@sofa.org.sa
Phone: 4016666 ext 3538
Fax: 014066987
Mobile: 0508030720

Saudi Food and Drug Authority Organic Food Products Clearance Conditions and Requirements
USDA’S GAIN Report Saudi Arabia Retail Foods Online Food Retailing Begins (2018)
USDA’S GAIN Report Saudi Arabia Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report Saudi Arabia Retail Foods (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report Saudi Arabia Food Processing Ingredients (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report Saudi Arabia Exporter Guide (2023) 
USDA’S GAIN Report Saudi Arabia Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report (2023)
USDA’S GAIN Report Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report (2023)
Organic Agriculture in Saudi Arabia, 2012 Report