Saudi imports of US beef are expected to grow by between $100-150 million annually, as a new phase begins in the trajectory of these exports, following the cancellation of the export verification requirement in Saudi Arabia, according to a statement from the US Embassy obtained by Al-Eqtisadiah.

According to the latest available official data from the US Department of Agriculture and the US Meat Export Federation, the volume of Saudi imports of US beef is about $9.96 million (about SAR 37 million) annually, equivalent to about 904 tons.

At this current size, the market share of US beef is less than 1% of Saudi Arabia's total red meat imports, which are estimated at a total value of about $1.3 billion annually, according to 2024 statistics, the latest available.

The expected increase in the Kingdom's imports of US beef implies growth of about 15 times annually.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority had canceled the requirement for US beef to participate in the 'Export Verification Program,' a special regulatory protocol imposed by the authority in 2015 in coordination with the US Department of Agriculture, and completely abolished last March to facilitate trade and open the door to a much wider range of US meat producers for export.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) office in Riyadh, in collaboration with the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and Saudi sector partners, announced the launch of a new phase and a pivotal shift in the trajectory of US beef exports to Saudi Arabia following the cancellation of this requirement.

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A qualitative shift towards a broader presence in the Saudi market

The US Embassy said in its statement that the expected growth in the volume of US beef exports to Saudi Arabia makes the Kingdom one of the most promising markets for growing demand for high-quality proteins in the Middle East.

This regulatory change, according to the US Embassy, represents a qualitative shift that will significantly expand the range of US cattle eligible for export to Saudi Arabia.

The statement pointed out that 'with regulatory barriers receding and the record growth in Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector, the prospects for US beef in the Saudi market look brighter than ever.'

It affirmed the readiness of US producers and exporters to meet consumer demand in Saudi Arabia.

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US beef has faced strong competition from global suppliers. Therefore, future priorities, according to the statement, include expanding beyond major cities into emerging regional markets, enhancing supply chain resilience, and continuing to build deep, long-term commercial partnerships.

The statement noted the remarkable growth in demand for food experiences in Saudi Arabia with the expansion of the tourism sector, rising consumer purchasing power, the rapid spread of upscale restaurant and hotel chains, and modern online grocery platforms, 'amid rapid economic and social transformation.'

It said that the US Meat Export Federation has intensified its investments in Saudi Arabia to support this booming sector by organizing strategic partnerships with Saudi culinary academies and holding intensive workshops for professional chefs and local traders.

The federation has also launched joint in-store promotional campaigns involving direct product tasting experiences, and organized educational trade missions to the United States, giving Saudi buyers an opportunity to closely observe the US beef production system.

The federation also had an active presence at the upcoming Saudi Food Fair last September and the HORECA Riyadh exhibition in December.