Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture conducted 26,118 inspections across the Kingdom during the third quarter of 2026, reinforcing its commitment to food safety, regulatory compliance and sustainable food supplies.

The inspections, carried out between July and September, covered fruit and vegetable markets, livestock facilities, meat and poultry markets, fish markets, farms and slaughterhouses. The initiative focused on verifying the safety and quality of agricultural and animal products, monitoring market practices and ensuring compliance with established food safety regulations.

Strengthening Food Safety Compliance

The Ministry adopted a risk-based inspection approach, prioritising facilities and activities considered more vulnerable to food safety violations.

In July, inspection teams conducted 3,729 visits, identifying 335 violations and issuing 571 warnings. Inspection activity increased significantly in August, with more than 12,220 visits recorded.

September saw a further 10,169 inspections, involving 1,165 enforcement officers and covering approximately 17,857 establishments.

The inspections also examined product handling, display and sales practices to identify potential risks affecting food quality and consumer safety.

Supporting Food Security and Supply Chain Sustainability

Beyond regulatory compliance, the inspections assessed the availability and stability of essential food products across Saudi markets.

The Ministry reported strong domestic production levels, with self-sufficiency reaching 127% for dates, 120% for milk and dairy products, and 105% for eggs. Self-sufficiency levels for vegetables and poultry stood at 82% and 76%, respectively.

Special attention was also given to monitoring the quality and safety of dates and related products to ensure compliance with approved standards.

Advancing Risk-Based Food Safety Monitoring

The Ministry continues to strengthen its inspection framework through risk-based monitoring, improved enforcement capabilities and greater coordination with relevant government authorities.

These measures aim to enhance compliance across food markets and slaughterhouses, protect consumers and strengthen confidence in locally produced food products.

The ongoing inspection programme also supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives by promoting food security, strengthening regulatory oversight and improving the resilience of the Kingdom’s food supply chain.