U.S. Beef Gets Access to Saudi Arabia

Why It Matters

The removal of the EV program creates a commercially viable gateway to one of the fastest-growing food markets, offering U.S. cattle producers new export opportunities and potential revenue gains amid already strong domestic demand. Expanded access helps U.S. exporters capture high-end protein demand and diversify overseas sales.

Summary

Saudi Arabia has removed its export verification (EV) program requirement for U.S. beef, a change that has been fully implemented and eliminates a major trade barrier dating back to 2015. The move simplifies export procedures and relaxes certain feed-traceability requirements while halal standards remain in place. U.S. Meat Export Federation officials say the change will significantly expand the share of U.S. beef eligible for the Saudi market and allow exporters to more easily meet demand from a young, high-spending, food-service–oriented population. USMEF estimates the policy shift could boost U.S. beef sales to Saudi Arabia by roughly $100–150 million.