Saudi Arabia EV Program Rescinded

What Was the Saudi Arabia EV Program?

The Saudi Arabia EV Program was a USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Export Verification (EV) Program designed to ensure that U.S. beef exported to Saudi Arabia met specific import requirements set by that country.

Export Verification Programs are voluntary, USDA-audited programs that allow suppliers to document and verify production practices tied to export market requirements. According to USDA AMS, EV programs provide a structured system for verifying process claims and ensuring product eligibility for specific markets.

What Changed on March 2, 2026?

The Saudi Arabia EV claim is no longer required for U.S. beef exports to Saudi Arabia. Suppliers do not need to maintain specific documentation moving forward which had previously been necessary to access Saudi Arabia as an export destination.

Acceptance of Previously Verified Cattle

While the Saudi Arabia EV program is no longer in effect, there is an important transition detail for producers and suppliers.

Cattle that were verified under the Saudi EV Program prior to March 2, 2026, may still be accepted within existing supply chains and agreements. However, no new cattle can be enrolled or marketed under the Saudi EV claim after March 2, 2026.

In other words, the program has been closed going forward, but product and cattle that were already compliant before the cutoff date may continue to move through the system depending on buyer and exporter requirements.

This makes documentation and verification dates critical for any cattle intended for export channels that previously relied on this program.

Approved Facilities

Another key component of this change is the increased emphasis on approved Halal slaughter and processing facilities.

Saudi Arabia will require that imported beef meet Halal standards, which include:

• Slaughter performed according to Islamic law

• Certification by an approved Halal certifying body

• Processing at facilities recognized and accepted by Saudi authorities

  
  

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) maintains export eligibility requirements on plant approval status and religious compliance, rather than a USDA AMS EV claim.

Takeaway

The removal of the Saudi Arabia EV Program is not a step backward—it’s a shift in how that market is accessed and highlights a key reality that export requirements evolve, but verified, well-documented cattle remain a competitive advantage.

At Legacy Verified, we stay ahead of these changes so you don’t have to.

As a USDA-AMS approved Process Verified Program (PVP) provider, we help producers navigate evolving export requirements. While maintaining compliance with current market standards and build flexible verification programs that support long-term success.

Programs may come and go—but Traceability, Verification, and Credibility remain constant drivers of value in today’s beef industry.