Indian Tea Export to Saudi Arabia | Bulk CTC & Orthodox Supply
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest consumer tea markets in the Arabian Peninsula, characterized by a longstanding culinary culture centering on robust spiced chai, milk teas, and traditional black tea hospitality. Operating from our Siliguri sourcing hub in North Bengal, Byahut Tea Company coordinates commercial bulk tea supply for tea importers, beverage packers, and distributors servicing markets across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Supplying high-yield Assam CTC for cardamom-infused blends and tippy Assam Orthodox leaf, consignments are quoted on FOB Kolkata or CIF destination port terms, with documentation coordinated subject to applicable Saudi food-safety and import conformity requirements.
Saudi Trade & Regulatory Parameters
- • Primary Discharge Ports: Jeddah Islamic Port (Red Sea) & King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam (Arabian Gulf).
- • Indicative Maritime Transit: Approximately 16 to 22 days from Kolkata port departure.
- • Regulatory Conformity: Prepared subject to applicable Saudi import and food-safety regulations (including SFDA guidelines); buyers should ensure destination conformity requirements are satisfied.
- • Export Documentation: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, statutory Phytosanitary Certificate, Certificate of Origin, and Clean Shipped On Board Ocean Bills of Lading.
- • Independent Testing: Multi-residue pesticide screening and microbial assays arranged through independent NABL-accredited testing laboratories per contract.
- • Bulk Packaging: Commercial bulk multiwall kraft paper sacks with food-grade liners, configured to buyer specification (optional ISPM-15 wooden pallets).
Saudi Beverage Dynamics & Tea Preferences
From family gatherings to institutional catering, tea occupies a central position in daily Saudi life, driving steady commercial demand for specific Indian tea varieties.
Cardamom & Spiced Chai Blends
A major volume driver in Saudi retail is spiced chai (Shai Haleeb / Karak), prepared by boiling black tea with whole cardamom pods, cloves, and evaporated milk. This requires heavy-liquoring Assam CTC Brokens that yield deep reddish colour and brisk astringency without turning sour under prolonged simmering.
Hospitality & Traditional Samovar
In traditional majlis settings and social occasions, clear black tea is prepared in samovars and served sweetened in transparent istikan cups. Well-twisted Assam Orthodox grades (such as BOP and FBOP) provide the clear amber visual appeal and fragrant aroma demanded by consumers.
Institutional Catering & Blending
With large seasonal gatherings and extensive corporate food-service sectors in Riyadh and the Holy Cities, commercial packers require consistent bulk consignments that deliver reliable cup yield per kilogram at competitive landed costs.
Tea Varieties Tailored for the Saudi Arabian Market
Recommended Indian tea grades aligned with the sensory and commercial requirements of Saudi beverage blenders and distributors.
| Grade / Cut | Origin Region | Liquor & Leaf Profile | Target Saudi Application | Standard Packaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assam CTC Broken Pekoe (BP) | Upper & Central Assam | Bold granular cut, rich malty liquor, deep coppery red infusion | Cardamom tea loose packs, milk chai bases | Multiwall paper sacks with food-grade liner, configured to buyer specification |
| Assam CTC Pekoe Fannings (PF) | Assam Valley | Even fine granular cut, fast strong liquor extraction, brisk punch | Institutional cafeteria chai, fast-brewing blends | Multiwall paper sacks with food-grade liner, configured to buyer specification |
| Dooars & Terai CTC Brokens | North Bengal Foothills | Bright amber cup, clean brisk finish, competitive commercial pricing | Economy consumer retail cartons, bulk catering blends | Multiwall paper sacks with food-grade liner, configured to buyer specification |
| Assam Orthodox BOP / FBOP | Assam Brahmaputra Valley | Twisted leaf with golden tips, sweet aroma, clear bright liquor | Traditional majlis hospitality tea, premium retail caddies | Foil-lined barrier sacks, configured to buyer specification |
Import Coordination & Documentation for Saudi Arabia
Consignments destined for Saudi Arabia are coordinated to ensure compliance with destination food-safety guidelines and smooth container release at customs.
Import Conformity Guidelines
Commercial buyers should ensure applicable Saudi import, food-safety, and conformity guidelines (such as SFDA standards) are met. Consignments are packed with bilingual labeling details where contracted, and pre-shipment laboratory test reports can be coordinated through independent NABL-accredited facilities.
Statutory Trade Documentation
Consignments carry complete trade documentation dossiers including the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, statutory Phytosanitary Certificate issued by Indian Plant Quarantine, Certificate of Origin, and clean shipped-on-board ocean Bills of Lading. Review our export documents guide.
Sampling & Specification Approval
Prior to contract finalization, representative counter-samples drawn from available invoice lots are dispatched via express courier, enabling Saudi blenders to cup and approve the exact liquor density and sensory character. Learn more on our samples page.
Frequently Asked Questions: Saudi Arabia Tea Export
Which Indian tea grades are best suited for Saudi Arabian consumer tastes?
Saudi consumer demand centers on bold Assam CTC grades—specifically Broken Pekoe (BP) and Pekoe Fannings (PF)—for rich milk chai and cardamom-spiced tea. For hospitality service, tippy Assam Orthodox broken grades (BOP and FBOP) are widely utilized for their aromatic clarity and sweet liquor profile.
How are Saudi food-safety and regulatory standards handled?
Consignments are assembled to meet destination food-safety requirements, and buyers should ensure applicable Saudi import, food-safety, and conformity guidelines (including SFDA standards) are met. Consignments carry official Indian Plant Quarantine Phytosanitary Certificates, with laboratory multi-residue testing coordinated through independent accredited testing laboratories upon order specification.
Which Saudi ports are used for ocean container discharge?
Containerized cargo is primarily discharged at Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea (serving western Saudi Arabia, Makkah, and Madinah) and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on the Arabian Gulf (serving the Eastern Province and Riyadh via rail/road connectivity).
What is the indicative shipping transit time from Kolkata port to Saudi Arabia?
Indicative maritime container transit from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata or Haldia docks to Jeddah or Dammam is approximately 16 to 22 days, depending on carrier feeder schedules and transshipment port operations.
Inquire About CIF Jeddah & Dammam Shipments
Submit your target grade, monthly container requirements, and packaging specifications to receive current price schedules and courier counter-samples.