Coffee · importers
Saudi Arabia ranks eleventh of 96 at $1.6B in the coffee, tea and spices chapter, and this chapter carries more weight in its import bill than in most large economies.
| Market | HS 09 imports |
|---|---|
| United States | $11.7B |
| Germany | $6.5B |
| France | $4.0B |
| Italy | $3.4B |
| Canada | $2.4B |
Figures are for the whole of HS chapter 09 (coffee, tea, mate and spices); coffee is only part of it. Source: UN Comtrade, as reported by national authorities; latest available year per market.
China is above at $2.1B and Poland is just below at $1.6B. Saudi Arabia’s 2.4% share of reported world imports keeps it inside the top dozen. The chapter is 0.7% of its $232.8B imports and ranks 31st among its import chapters, a better place than in Japan, France or Germany.
Industrial machinery at $32.6B, vehicles at $26.4B and electrical machinery at $26.3B lead the bill.
Serving coffee to guests is an established part of hospitality in the Gulf, and traditional preparations often use spices such as cardamom. Because chapter 09 groups coffee with tea and spices, part of the $1.6B may reflect those spices and teas, not only coffee. Ask the importer what mix of products it handles.
Demand is also shaped by a growing modern cafe scene, which favours roasted and specialty offers. Importers serving that scene look for consistent freshness, so ask about their roasting-date expectations and how they manage stock, because a slow-moving importer will not want a very large lot.
China, the USA, the United Arab Emirates and India lead the overall source list. The presence of the UAE points to Gulf trading hubs, so some coffee may reach Saudi buyers via them. Ask whether the importer buys direct from origin.
The $1.6B combines coffee, tea, mate and spices, so coffee is only a portion, and re-exports can move a ranking. Confirm the current import, food-safety and conformity requirements with the authorities, then agree Incoterm, currency, payment terms and port.
Coffee-heading shipment records list consignees and weights; this site’s free marketplace helps you start a conversation with them.
Eleventh of 96 markets at $1.6B in 2024, a 2.4% share of reported world imports.
Because the chapter also holds spices and tea, and Gulf demand for spices such as cardamom is significant.
31st, at 0.7% of $232.8B.
Use coffee-heading shipment records and read consignee names and cargo weights.
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