The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has introduced mandatory certificate of conformity (CoC) requirements for poultry and poultry products exported from Brazil to Saudi Arabia. Effective April 1, 2026, shipments from SFDA-approved establishments must be accompanied by a valid CoC.
What exporters need to know now
The new requirement forms part of the SFDA’s food conformity assessment framework and introduces an additional compliance step for Brazilian poultry exporters and other stakeholders involved in the supply chain.
As the requirement is now in force, companies exporting affected products should ensure that the certification process is incorporated into their regular export procedures to support efficient market access and help avoid potential delays during import clearance.
What does the new requirement mean for exporters?
The mandatory requirement applies to poultry and poultry products exported from Brazil and originating from SFDA-approved establishments.
Each affected shipment must undergo the applicable conformity assessment process and be supported by a CoC in accordance with the relevant SFDA requirements.
The CoC requirement is separate from establishment approval. Exporters should therefore ensure that:
- The poultry product falls within the scope of the mandatory CoC requirement
- The relevant manufacturing or processing establishment is approved by the SFDA
- Product and shipment documentation is complete, accurate and consistent
- Applicable food safety, sanitary, technical, labelling, Halal, slaughter and import requirements have been addressed
- The conformity assessment process is initiated early enough to support the planned shipment schedule
- The CoC is obtained through an SFDA-designated conformity assessment body
Integrating these requirements into routine export planning can help companies identify potential compliance gaps before shipment and reduce the risk of avoidable delays.
Why does this matter for Brazilian poultry exporters?
Saudi Arabia is an important destination for Brazilian poultry exports. In 2025, Saudi Arabia imported approximately 397,200 tonnes of Brazilian chicken meat, representing an increase of 7.1% compared with 2024 and making Saudi Arabia Brazil’s third-largest export market for chicken meat.
The scale and continued growth of this trade highlight the importance of efficient and reliable compliance processes. With the mandatory SFDA CoC requirement now in force, exporters need to ensure that certification is integrated into their routine export procedures.
Working with an experienced conformity assessment body can help companies navigate the applicable requirements, support efficient shipment certification and maintain access to this important market.
How we support your exports to Saudi Arabia
We support poultry manufacturers, exporters and importers in meeting Saudi Arabia's food safety and conformity assessment requirements, helping facilitate a smooth and efficient market entry process.
As an SFDA-approved Certification Body, we support companies throughout the certification process, including:
- Confirming whether poultry products and shipments fall within the scope of the SFDA conformity assessment program
- Reviewing product documentation, labelling and applicable Saudi regulations, standards and technical requirements
- Supporting product registration requirements where applicable
- Coordinating product sampling and testing through accredited laboratories
- Conducting shipment inspections and container verification activities
- Verifying compliance with relevant SFDA, Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) and food safety requirements
- Issuing the CoC in accordance with SFDA requirements
- Identifying and addressing potential compliance gaps before shipment to help reduce the risk of clearance delays at Saudi ports of entry
Contact SGS to discuss your certification requirements and how we can support your exports to Saudi Arabia.
Learn more about the Saudi Arabia – SFDA Certificate of Conformity.
This article can also be found in our PCA Newsletter (Q3/2026), which keeps you up to date with developments in technical barriers to trade and product conformity assessment.
Read more PCA articles (Q3/2026)
- New PVoC Contract for Tanzania’s China Zone (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia and Macau)
- PCA CI 71 Expanded Scope and New Requirements for Imports into Ivory Coast
- Prepare Solar Product Exports for Egypt with Product Conformity Inspection Services
- Export to Algeria with Confidence Through Pre-Export Conformity Assessment
You can read more articles in our previous editions in the PCA Newsletter Library.
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