Food industry has been a dominating source of income for many countries, especially the Saudi Arabians. The people of the country enjoy a broad range of foods categorized into sea-foods, halal meat, salads corner, bakery items, confectionery, various mouth-watering delicacies, and many more.
Considering this food market as a successful business opportunity, many foreign investors have set up successful restaurants to serve the citizens and non-Saudis with food that piques many tastes.
Foreign investors rely heavily on Saudi Arabia’s changing reforms to the food business in Saudi Arabia to cater to specific needs of the non-Saudi’s and natives. Although the food business is competitive, yet it needs thorough research and planning before put into practice.
Key Steps for Setting Up a Food Business in Saudi Arabia
Some of the basic steps that one foreign investor should follow while setting up a food business in the Saudi are:
- Selecting a Business structure
- Establish your business
- Decide on the venue or location for the food business
- Register the restaurant/ food business outlet
- Secure a Commercial Registration
- Get permission from Food Handling permits
- Approvals from the Health Department
- Obtain the necessary licenses required
Emerging Trends in the Saudi Food Market
Saudi food market trends have seen many large and young populations spending heavily on food and beverages. This emerging trend has made the country one among the largest domestic food and beverage markets across the Gulf.
The food business market in Saudi Arabia has been growing fast with rising demands on food consumption. The main reasons behind this development are:
- Changing consumption patterns of consumers and increasing awareness about food origin and sources.
- The migration of rural communities to urban areas.
- The increased presence of superstores, hypermarkets, and a growing restaurant and F&B market.
Amidst the growing food business in Saudi, food safety has become a major issue. Protecting people from foodborne illness, quality control issues, and food frauds have made the Saudi Government more cautious about importing and exporting foods from the country.
Food Safety Regulations in Saudi Arabia
All imported and exported foods and beverages from /to Saudi Arabia undergo stringent food safety measures by the Food and Safety Regulations Department of Saudi Arabia. Any food either imported or exported to other countries must have a food label certificate issued by the FSD of Saudi Arabia.
This certificate should indicate many details like issue date of the product, expiry date of the product, amounts of chemicals as added weight wise, country to which the foods are being imported and/or exported.
Opening a Restaurant in Saudi Arabia as a Foreign Investor
Foreign investors can open restaurants in Saudi by acquiring appropriate licenses. The Saudi restaurant licensing option for foreign individuals or enterprises must follow the steps as indicated:
- Establish your business: Being a foreign investor it is important to seek approval from the Ministry of Commerce in the form of a General Investment Entrepreneurial license.
- Decide on the venue or location for the food business. The restaurant should be inclusive of a warehouse with the designated measurements. It should have a washing room with the prescribed measurements. Appropriate toilet/washroom facilities to be made available for ladies and gents.
- Register the restaurant/ food business outlet
- Secure a Commercial Registration
- Get permission from Food Handling permits
- Approvals from the Health Department
- Obtain the necessary licenses required
How Helpline Group helps in boosting the Food Business Sector in Saudi Arabia?
With more than 25 years of experience and 300+ qualified team members, the Helpline Group International in Saudi Arabia will help you set up your restaurant/food hub. We assist you in obtaining appropriate licenses; meeting food safety standards, getting prior approvals from the Health Department of the Saudi and others.
