Despite higher duties imposed by Saudi Arabia on most agricultural and food-related products, Indonesian Trade Attaché in Riyadh Zulvri Yenni said Indonesian exporters could still expand their presence in the Saudi Arabian market by improving cost efficiency, complying with food safety standards, and developing higher value-added products.
“The tariff changes need to be viewed as an effort to open new opportunities,” she said in a written statement.
New import duties for 51 commodities
The government of Saudi Arabia has raised import tariffs on most agricultural and food-related products from all trading partners.
The country has revised import duties on 51 commodity categories, covering agricultural products, livestock, fisheries, and processed foods. The new rates were stipulated under the Finance Minister’s Decree No. 1447-88-10 dated June 15, 2026, and took effect on June 26.
Of the 51 commodities, only two items, cold-water shrimp and other shrimp products, retained their previous tariff rate of 6%.
The policy also imposes tariffs on dozens of products that had previously entered the Saudi Arabian market duty-free. The new import duty rates range from 6% to 15%.
Commodities now subject to a 6% tariff include potatoes, whole or half animal carcasses, and other bone-in meat cuts. Meanwhile, the highest tariff rate of 15% applies to products such as turkey, duck, and breeder chicken.
According to Ms Yenni, the tariff adjustments are aimed at protecting and promoting Saudi Arabia’s domestic agricultural sector while remaining consistent with the Kingdom’s broader economic development agenda.
Opportunities to boost exports
According to Ms Yenni, Indonesia still has opportunities to boost exports of processed food and fisheries products that are not sufficiently supplied by Saudi Arabia’s domestic industries, including products such as shrimp crackers.
She also noted that Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen its agricultural and aquaculture sectors could increase demand for supporting industries, including cultivation technology, cold-chain systems, animal feed, seeds, and related services in which Indonesian companies have expertise.
“Various needs arising from this policy could become opportunities for cooperation between Indonesian and Saudi Arabian businesses,” she said.