Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian Ministry of Trade clarified on Tuesday (3/3/2026) that Saudi Arabia’s total ban on Indonesian poultry and egg imports is strictly due to health standards, not halal certification issues. 

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) implemented the restriction effective 1 March 2026, placing Indonesia alongside 39 other nations cited for failing to meet rigorous sanitary and phytosanitary regulations.

"This ban is fundamentally about quality assurance and compliance with health regulations rather than religious standards," said Zulvri Yenni, the Indonesian Trade Attaché in Riyadh, as cited by antaranews.com

The policy shift came after recent reports from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) indicating that Indonesia has yet to regain its bird flu-free status. While raw products are restricted, the SFDA provides exemptions for poultry processed through heat treatments proven to eliminate viruses, provided they carry official health certificates. 

Authorities view this as a critical momentum for Indonesia to update its epidemiological data to prevent regional competitors like Thailand from dominating the Saudi market.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)