Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormGreen (Unroasted), Not Decaffeinated
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Market
Green (unroasted) coffee beans (not decaffeinated) in Saudi Arabia are primarily an import-driven raw material market supplying domestic roasting and downstream coffee businesses. UN Comtrade data published via WITS indicates Saudi Arabia imported HS 090111 at roughly USD 400.7 million and 83.7 million kg in 2024, with Ethiopia the largest reported supplier by value and volume. Alongside imports, Saudi Arabia has a niche domestic Coffea arabica cultivation base in the southwestern highlands (notably Jazan, with cultivation also referenced in Al-Baha and Asir) supported by government and PIF-backed initiatives. Market access risk is shaped by plant/quarantine and food-import controls, including phytosanitary requirements for green coffee consignments and SFDA food import conditions.
Market RoleNet importer with niche domestic Arabica production
Domestic RoleImport-dependent supply base for domestic roasting; small domestic Khawlani/Arabica cultivation supported by national programs
Market GrowthGrowing (2016–2026 (consumption outlook cited by PIF))consumption-led growth outlook referenced in PIF communications (citing Euromonitor) alongside investment to expand domestic coffee value chain
SeasonalityYear-round availability is maintained via imports; domestic Khawlani coffee harvest in the southwest is seasonal (commonly cited as October–January).
Risks
Phytosanitary HighGreen coffee bean consignments that are not accompanied by a valid phytosanitary certificate, or that contain live pests/soil/weed seeds/extraneous material, can be delayed, subjected to additional controls, or rejected at the border, disrupting supply to roasters and downstream buyers.Use the exporter’s NPPO to issue a phytosanitary certificate; implement pre-shipment cleaning/sieving, container hygiene controls, and pre-loading inspection against Saudi phytosanitary expectations.
Regulatory Compliance MediumSFDA border inspection can include documentary, identity and physical checks (and lab testing when warranted); documentation gaps (e.g., invoice certification, origin documentation when requested) can delay release and increase storage/demurrage costs.Match shipping documents to SFDA import conditions; run a pre-alert checklist with importer/customs broker and ensure document consistency with the goods and HS classification.
Standards Conformity MediumNon-alignment with applicable Saudi/GCC technical regulations and referenced quality-control methods (e.g., standards for green coffee beans, sampling and moisture testing) can create disputes or non-compliance findings affecting marketability.Reference GSO 442 (Green Coffee Beans) where applicable; agree contract QA methods (sampling, moisture test method) and retain reference samples for arbitration.
Price Volatility MediumGlobal coffee supply and beverage commodity price swings can materially change procurement costs for Saudi importers and roasters, affecting margins and retail pricing strategies in an import-dependent market.Diversify origins and contract structures; consider hedging where feasible and maintain rolling inventory policies to smooth procurement cost shocks.
Climate MediumDomestic Saudi coffee cultivation in southwestern terraces faces climate and resource constraints (notably limited water resources and terrace degradation), limiting reliability of local supply relative to import needs.Treat domestic beans as a niche supply stream; support water/terrace rehabilitation initiatives and maintain import diversification for baseline roasting demand.
Sustainability- Water scarcity and irrigation constraints in Saudi Arabia’s domestic coffee-growing regions, with terrace degradation and climate pressures cited as risks to local Coffea arabica genetic resources and production continuity.
- Climate change impacts on global coffee supply can translate into procurement and price volatility for Saudi import-dependent roasters and distributors.
Labor & Social- As an import-dependent market sourcing heavily from origin countries with smallholder production, buyer due diligence may focus on origin-level labor and livelihood risks (supplier transparency and responsible sourcing programs).
FAQ
Is a phytosanitary certificate required to import green (unroasted) coffee beans into Saudi Arabia?Yes. Referenced import guidance for Saudi Arabia indicates a phytosanitary certificate is required for green coffee beans, and consignments should be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material.
Who are the main supplier origins for Saudi Arabia’s green coffee bean imports?UN Comtrade data published via the World Bank WITS tool for HS 090111 (2024) lists Ethiopia as the largest supplier by value and volume, with Colombia, Brazil, India and El Salvador also among top listed partners.
Which Saudi authorities are typically involved in importing and clearing green coffee beans?SFDA sets food import conditions and performs imported food inspections at border inspection points, MEWA is the competent authority referenced for plant/quarantine matters for plant products, and ZATCA manages customs processes and provides an Integrated Customs Tariff Inquiry to check duties by HS code.