🇸🇦 Saudi ArabiaProtein Intelligence

Saudi Arabia is the GCC's largest domestic protein market and the world's largest live sheep importer, processing over 4 million head annually for Hajj season consumption.

Saudi Arabia imports halal-certified protein from Brazil, India, Australia, and France, with Vision 2030 agricultural programmes expanding domestic poultry capacity. Al Watania Poultry and NADEC operate the largest domestic integrated facilities, subsidised under Saudi Arabia's food security strategy. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) publishes production and import data. Hajj season (annually, date varies) creates a predictable live lamb demand spike of 3–4 million head.

India dominates Saudi Arabia's buffalo meat import corridor — typically 55–70% share. When India's SFDA approval list expands, Indian exporters gain, compressing Brazilian beef's share. When the list shrinks, Brazilian beef fills the gap within 4–6 weeks.