Saudi Arabia: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

  |   Attaché Report (GAIN)   |   SA2023-0011
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) regulations allow the importation of biotech plant products, but they are required to be labeled if they contain more than one percent genetically engineered (GE) plant ingredients. As a result, many retail packaged food importers do not import biotech foods due to concerns that biotech labeling could jeopardize their image. However, Saudi Arabia imports large quantities of biotech U.S. corn and soybeans. KSA as well as Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) regulations prohibit the import of genetically modified animals, birds, and fish. Biotech planting seeds are permitted for import, but there are currently no ongoing commercial development activities for GE plants in Saudi Arabia.

Related Reports

The biotechnology regulatory system in Ukraine is still not fully developed, but the country is gradually adjusting its domestic policies to align with European Union regulations.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Tunisia: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

Tunisia is continuing to postpone non-urgent matters in front of major political and economic reforms. As a result, Tunisia’s biosafety framework, which was drafted in 2014, remains on hold with no timeframe for a review and parliamentary vote.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly

Export prices of white and parboiled rice rose one percent from the previous week as exporters reportedly continued to secure the rice supplies to fulfill contract shipments.