Saudi Arabia to revise frozen poultry import requirements

The Saudi Arabian authorities have decided to suspend a measure that introduced a mandatory 30-day shelf life requirement for frozen poultry. The decision will benefit major poultry suppliers in the Kingdom, such as Brazil. Since May, 11 Brazilian businesses have been banned from exporting frozen poultry products to Saudi Arabia because their products had a shelf life of less than 30 days.

In a statement released last week, the Brazilian Livestock Association (ABPA) said the Saudi government's decision came after arguments from countries and market agents. AVRA representatives added that they worked with the Brazilian government to provide the necessary information.

“The adoption of the decision restores the processes of our negotiations with the main market of Saudi Arabia in accordance with the criteria that determine the international trade in food,” said ABPA President Ricardo Santin. 

Saudi Arabia is the second largest market for Brazilian chicken MEAT.