Products Available for Export to Saudi Arabia
| Product | Available Cuts | Form | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef | Striploin, tenderloin, ribeye, chuck, brisket, offal | Chilled / Frozen | 5 MT |
| Lamb & Mutton | Whole carcass, leg, shoulder, rack, chops | Chilled / Frozen | 5 MT |
| Goat Meat | Whole carcass, bone-in cuts, boneless | Chilled / Frozen | 5 MT |
| Camel Meat | Hump, leg, shoulder, ground camel | Frozen | 5 MT |
SFDA Requirements for Importing Ethiopian Meat
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulates all meat imports into Saudi Arabia. Key requirements:
SFDA-Approved Exporting Country
Ethiopia must be on the SFDA's approved list of countries permitted to export meat to Saudi Arabia. Horn Gate works with abattoirs that hold current SFDA approval.
SFDA-Approved Establishment
The specific abattoir must be individually approved by SFDA. Each approved establishment has an SFDA registration number that appears on export documentation.
Halal Certification
Certificate must be issued by an Islamic body recognized by SFDA. The certificate must be shipment-specific with lot numbers.
Veterinary Health Certificate
Issued by the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, confirming animals were healthy at slaughter and the product meets Saudi import standards.
No Pre-Slaughter Stunning
Saudi Arabia does not permit pre-slaughter stunning. All animals must be slaughtered by hand without stunning.
Arabic Labeling
Product labels must include Arabic text for product name, country of origin, and best-before date.
Export Documentation for Saudi Arabia
| Document | Issued By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Horn Gate Trading | In English and Arabic |
| Packing List | Horn Gate Trading | Carton count, weights, lot numbers |
| Bill of Lading | Shipping line | Issued at Djibouti Port |
| Veterinary Health Certificate | Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture | Per shipment, SFDA format |
| Halal Certificate | SFDA-recognized Islamic body | Shipment-specific with lot numbers |
| Certificate of Origin | Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce | Confirms Ethiopian origin |
| SFDA Import Permit | Saudi importer obtains from SFDA | Required before shipment departs |
| Cold Chain Record | Horn Gate / Cold store | Temperature log from slaughter to loading |
Shipping to Saudi Arabia
Departure Port
Djibouti Port, Djibouti
Destination Ports
Jeddah Islamic Port / King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam
Transit Time
5–7 days (Jeddah) / 7–9 days (Dammam)
Shipments travel in refrigerated (reefer) containers. Frozen product is maintained at −18°C; chilled product at 0–4°C. Given the 5–7 day transit to Jeddah, both chilled and frozen product can be supplied to Saudi Arabia.
How to Start Buying Ethiopian Meat for Saudi Arabia
Step 1: Obtain an SFDA Import Permit
As the Saudi importer, you must obtain an import permit from SFDA before the shipment departs Ethiopia. This requires submitting the exporter's SFDA establishment approval number and product details.
Step 2: Send Your Product Inquiry to Horn Gate
Contact us with your product requirements: species, cuts, quantity, packaging, and preferred delivery date. We will confirm availability and provide a quotation within 24 hours.
Step 3: Agree on Specifications and Terms
We will send a proforma invoice with full product specifications, price (FOB Djibouti or CIF Jeddah/Dammam), payment terms, and delivery schedule.
Step 4: Production and Documentation
Once the order is confirmed, we schedule production. All documentation (vet cert, halal cert, COO, packing list, invoice) is prepared and sent to you before shipment.
Step 5: Shipment and Tracking
We load the reefer container at Djibouti and provide you with the Bill of Lading and container number for tracking. Temperature data loggers are included in every container.