Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried
Industry PositionFood Ingredient
Market
Dried cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) in Saudi Arabia are supplied predominantly through imports and used as a culinary spice ingredient across household retail, foodservice, and industrial food manufacturing. Market entry is governed by SFDA imported-food control at border inspection posts, with consignments subject to documentary/identity/physical checks and, where warranted, laboratory testing. Compliance risk is driven by Saudi technical regulations and standards for imported food, including pesticide-residue limits and labeling rules for prepackaged products. Given the product’s shelf-stable nature, availability is generally year-round with inventory-managed supply rather than agricultural seasonality within Saudi Arabia.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (Net importer)
Domestic RoleCulinary spice ingredient for households and foodservice; also used as an input for industrial food manufacturing (spice blends and processed foods).
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityYear-round availability primarily via imports; domestic production seasonality is not applicable.
Specification
Primary VarietySyzygium aromaticum (clove flower buds)
Physical Attributes- Whole clove buds: intact bud and stem, brown to dark brown appearance, characteristic aroma; free from visible mold and insect infestation.
- Ground cloves: uniform powder with strong aroma; higher adulteration-detection sensitivity than whole buds (origin- and supplier-dependent).
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control to prevent mold growth and preserve aroma during storage.
- Volatile oil / aroma strength (often discussed in trade as eugenol-related intensity) as a quality proxy.
Grades- Whole-bud vs. stem-heavy lots and extraneous matter limits are common grading/acceptance factors (reference frameworks include ISO 2254:2004).
Packaging- Bulk: food-grade lined sacks or cartons with inner moisture barrier for import handling.
- Retail: sealed jars/pouches with moisture barrier; labeling must comply with SFDA/GSO requirements for prepackaged food where applicable.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin drying/cleaning → export packing → sea freight to Saudi Arabia → SFDA border inspection (document/identity/physical; lab test if required) → customs clearance → importer warehousing → wholesale/retail/foodservice distribution
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical; protect from excessive heat to reduce aroma loss and quality degradation.
Atmosphere Control- Moisture control is critical (sealed moisture-barrier packaging; desiccant where appropriate) to prevent mold and caking in ground product.
Shelf Life- Shelf-stable when kept dry and protected from heat/light; quality loss is primarily via aroma/volatile oil decline and moisture uptake.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with Saudi imported-food requirements (including pesticide-residue limits and other safety/quality controls verified through SFDA border inspection and possible lab testing) can result in shipment rejection or market withdrawal risk for imported cloves.Use pre-shipment testing/COA aligned to SFDA and buyer requirements, qualify suppliers, and implement lot-level traceability with rapid hold/release procedures for each consignment.
Regulatory Compliance MediumRetail-prepackaged cloves that do not meet SFDA/GSO labeling requirements (including Arabic labeling and consistency across languages) may face border delays, relabeling orders, or rejection depending on enforcement outcomes.Run label compliance checks against SFDA.FD/GSO 9 before printing, and ensure Arabic content is present and consistent with any English labeling.
Logistics MediumRed Sea/Suez security incidents and chokepoint disruptions can cause rerouting, longer transit times, and higher freight/insurance costs for shipments moving toward Saudi Red Sea gateways (e.g., Jeddah), affecting replenishment timing and landed costs.Diversify routing (including alternative gateways where feasible), carry safety stock for key SKUs, and contract freight/insurance with disruption clauses.
Documentation Gap MediumDocument mismatches (invoice, bill of lading, origin details, item registration status) can trigger delays during ZATCA and SFDA documentary/identity checks at border inspection posts.Implement a pre-departure document reconciliation checklist and file customs clearance data via Fasah within required timelines; align HS classification (090710 vs 090720) to the physical form shipped.
Sustainability- Upstream sustainability performance is origin-dependent; Saudi buyers relying on spot wholesale markets may face limited farm-level visibility unless importers enforce origin documentation and supplier audits.
Labor & Social- Labor-risk exposure is primarily upstream in producing origins (often smallholder-based), not within Saudi agriculture (no domestic clove farming); importers may need origin-focused due diligence for responsible sourcing claims.
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS Food Safety (for packers, where used by suppliers)
FAQ
Which HS codes are typically used for cloves imports into Saudi Arabia?Cloves fall under HS heading 0907. Whole cloves that are neither crushed nor ground are commonly classified as HS 090710, while crushed or ground cloves are classified as HS 090720. The declared code should match the form shipped.
What documents are commonly required to import food products like dried cloves into Saudi Arabia?ZATCA lists core documents such as a commercial invoice, bill of lading, and a certificate of origin (as applicable). SFDA also requires food importers to be registered and imports to comply with Saudi technical regulations and standards, with additional certificates potentially requested depending on the food item.
If cloves are sold in retail packs, does the label need to be in Arabic in Saudi Arabia?Yes. SFDA guidance referencing SFDA.FD/GSO 9 indicates labeling and explanatory statements must be in Arabic. Another language can be added, but it must appear alongside Arabic and the information must match.